Have you visited Starbucks lately?

The coffeehouse’s website brags, “When you consider our milk options, number of shots, various syrups and the choice of whip or no-whip, we have up to 87,000 different drink combinations—all customized to your own individual needs. So begins pastor Karl Travis in an article titled, “Choosing Jesus in a Starbucks World.” He goes on to suggest that in a world with gazillions of consumer choices that people are increasingly paralyzed by complexity,” and are “becoming intellectually frozen and spiritually frazzled.” (Clergy Journal, September 2008, pg. 3).

I know the feeling. There’s a part of me that longs for the day when one’s only choice in purchasing a car was radio or not. As we head into the stewardship season our giving choices will determine what kind of church we will be in 2009.

Let’s ask ourselves some questions:

Am I a cheerful giver or a grudging one?

Do I give liberally or minimally?

Do I give freely or am I hesitant in responding?

Am I generous or am I tightfisted?

Do I truly feel blessed whenever I give or is there resentment?

Scripture offers some guides in answering these questions:

“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7)

“Provide liberally out of your flock, your threshing floor, and your wine press. . .giving to Him some of the bounty with which the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deut 15:14)

“You received without payment; give without payment” (Mt 10:8)

“God has also given each of us different gifts to use . . .If we can give, we should be generous.” (Rom 12:8)

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

In 2009 we will have the opportunity to express our thankfulness for 100 years of life, love and service in the name of Jesus Christ here at St. Mark’s. Our stewardship choices will determine what kind of disciples we will be for the next 100 years.

Blessings,
Pastor Judy