Open Hearts and Generous Spirits

I usually begin my sermons with a prayer asking God to open our hearts, enlighten our minds, and kindle our spirits.  I believe that if we open our hearts to the reality of our authentic humanity, keep our minds alert to the needs around us, and set our spirits on fire to make a difference by sharing God’s love with others we will be doing the work of the church and the ministry to which we are called.

Today’s gospel story of the poor widow is a case in point.  It is about trusting God to the extent that even a poor widow can contribute out of her poverty.  Her heart was open, her mind alert, and her spirit was generous.

A widow who lived in poverty showed her generosity by putting two small copper coins in the treasury of the synagogue.  The two coins amounted to a penny which represented 1/64 of a day’s wage.  Jesus described it as “everything she had.”  Widows in Jesus’ time did not earn wages.  Widows lived in poverty except for being part of a generous family or receiving compassionate support from the community.  For a poor widow to give anything in support of the temple was a sacrifice of possessions that in all likelihood could not be replaced or earned.  It was one way in which the religious establishment might well be accused of “devouring a widow’s house.”

The contrast between the scribes with their long robes and places of honor and the poor widow could not be greater.  For the scribes religion was a matter of public prestige and all the pageantry that went with it.  They were the revered doctors of the law who wore long robes while parading along the cobble-stoned streets bowing as they received greetings and signs of public respect.  However, their piety of saying long prayers for the sake of appearance was merely “lip service”; their hearts were closed and far away from God.

Jesus in speaking to his disciples about the widow said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."  She had complete trust in God. 

This is a story about taking God seriously even in the midst of poverty.  It is about giving without expecting something in return, serving even when it might lead to hardship.  It is a story reminding us that God is always present in our lives.  God loves and trusts us so we can risk giving ourselves to others in their need.  It is by serving others and giving generously from our abundance that we serve God.

The Rev. Dr. Scott Weimer a Presbyterian minister suggests that the poor widow had a genuine heart, a grateful spirit, and a generous attitude.  She captured Jesus’ attention by giving everything she had.  In other words, she gave from a genuine heart.

As we noted, the religious leaders liked to be seen in their long robes as a badge of their position and authority. Jesus saw through this and how they took advantage of their positions.  They got the best seats in the synagogue and places of honor at banquets.  The religious leaders probably paid no attention to the poor widow, perhaps they didn’t even recognize her.  Jesus noticed her and pointed out that she gave more than all those who were contributing to the treasury.  She had a grateful spirit and contributed all she had.  

The poor widow also had a generous attitude.  Her genuine heart and grateful spirit led to an attitude toward others that was most generous.  By sharing this story Jesus challenged his disciples to have a generous attitude. "All of [the scribes] have contributed out of their abundance; but [the poor widow] out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

Next week we shall observe our Commitment Sunday.  We are not asked to contribute everything we have, but we are asked to bring our pledge cards and place them in a basket on the altar.  What we determine we can give in thanksgiving to God for the abundance we receive demonstrates our genuine hearts, our grateful spirits, and our generous attitudes. Together we depend on the generous annual giving of every member in order to achieve our need for $100,000 in the new year.  Our overall budget exceeds $200,000, so what we give is barely half of that and the remainder comes from income from our trust funds and the rent we raise from the City Meal Site and the Hispanic Lutheran congregation.

Annual giving and our stewardship of the environment and other resources are important.  We are the stakeholders of our magnificent and historic church and it is up to us to maintain it and use it for the glory of God and the needs of all the people we serve.  All Saints’ Memorial Church is well worth supporting.  Our programs of regular worship with a wonderful choir, our Sunday school education, parish events, outreach to those in need, and the pastoral care we provide for people who are sick, in assisted living or nursing homes, are constant demands on our resources.  It is important to have a place where people can gather for worship, rest and prayer, fellowship and discussion, to share a meal, and be part of a caring and welcoming community.

Let us pray:  O Lord, you have taught us that you require much from those to whom much is given; grant that we who benefit from a glorious heritage may share abundantly with others what we so richly enjoy, and in serving them may we know the glory of serving you.  Amen.