Pat McKinney's Talk on Stewardship

On Presentation Sunday, February 8, 2009, Pat McKinney shared with the congregation his reasons for giving to the Generations project.

Thank you for being here. 

You know, it's interesting to think about the responses I and others on the Generations Committee have already received concerning this opportunity to finish what we started five years ago.

• Some avoid us, seemingly afraid we will ask them for money. (We will.)
• Some seek us out and ask how they can help. (We appreciate it.)
• Some have made remarks like, "I gave last time. I sure hope you'll go after those who didn't give, before you ask me again. (We will, but it causes me to wonder, what motivates me to want to give again?)

So, what can I say to you today to encourage you to join us again in what I believe is a God-honoring opportunity?  All I can really do is tell you a bit of my story and how I approach it.  Maybe that will resonate with you.

Like most here today, my family's circumstances are pretty different than they were almost five years ago when Pam and I made our first pledge: 

• I have retired. My income is 90% less than it used to be.
• Our savings, on which Pam and I hope to live out our natural lives, have been cut by over one third in the last five months.

It sounds like Paul knew what he was talking about in Ephesians 5:15-17: "So be careful how you act: these are difficult days.  Don't be fools: be wise; make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.  Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to do."

So the first question I have asked myself is, "Is this Generations undertaking the will of the Lord?"

FACT: This church has grown and expanded its influence with its own people and in God's Kingdom.

FACT: A committee of dedicated members has carefully considered this church's needs, now and in the future, and recommends the path we are on.

FACT: The church's leadership of ministers, deacons and elders has prayerfully considered this and unanimously support it.

FACT: The church's membership, on more than one occasion, was asked to collectively consider this huge step.  After doing so, it voted overwhelmingly to move forward.

FACT: While the original proposal in 2004 was met with many obstacles, mostly from outside our walls, these obstacles became opportunities that were used to make the proposed building much superior to the original.  Many of us believe that only God's providence has allowed us to negotiate our way to where we are today.

Therefore, to answer my first question, based on the facts, I believe God has indeed spoken and is in this.  It's now up to me, and you, to respond to God's calling, not just with our words and votes, but also with our treasure.  I am not suggesting that you make a commitment simply to this church.  I submit that we have a God-honoring opportunity, and for me a responsibility, to make a commitment to our Lord. Again, Paul describes this approach in 2 Corinthians 4:18: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Nevertheless, in my own musings concerning this opportunity, I freely confess to having conflicting emotions, ranging from selfish to praiseworthy.  However, I'm always drawn back to a sermon of Danny's a few years ago in which he suggested that we each ask ourselves the question, "DO I SIMPLY BELIEVE IN GOD?  or DO I BELIEVE GOD?" I would like to think that, more often than not, I act in a way that demonstrates that I believe God, not just believe in God.  If I believe God, I can rely on and be inspired by his promise to bless my giving, now and in eternity. After all, God said:

"Honor the Lord with all your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10)

"Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured in your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

"Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don't force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes." (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 [The Living Bible])

WELL, GOD SAID IT, AND I BELIEVE IT. I WANT TO STRIVE TO BE A CHEERFUL GIVER PRIZED BY GOD WHO CAN RELY ON GOD"S PROMISE TO BE BLESSED BEYOND ANYTHING I COULD EVER IMAGINE.

In summary, I feel that now, more than ever, we must rely on God's teaching in scripture to help us see things from an eternal perspective as opposed to a temporary one.  During these unsettling times we hear a lot about the world's perspective through the media, friends, and casual conversations.  Amidst what the world calls uncertain times, how do we hang on to those things we know are certain? For me, the answer to this question is that I have to make a conscious effort to alter the way I view the circumstances of each day.  For example:

I suspect that most everyone in this sanctuary today would affirm that they have trusted God for their eternity. That makes the answers to my two questions even more important:

• IS GOD IN THIS?
• DO I BELIEVE IN GOD, or DO I BELIEVE GOD?

This church is now in its fourth century. As evidenced on the walls of this Sanctuary, we honor those who came before us.  While I hope that future generations also honor us, I am much more interested in and confident of my eternal rewards, the ones God promises.  That's why I enthusiastically want to be one of the "cheerful givers God prizes."  And it's not so much the amount itself that will make me a cheerful giver.  Instead, it's what I know that amount says to God about my own heart.  It really is between Him and me.

Well, there it is, my story, up close and personal.  It's why I'm standing before you today.  It's also why I can confidently and unashamedly invite you to again join Pam and me as together we move to complete this Kingdom work.  May you be inspired by God's promise of reward and blessing.

Thank you.