More Than Enough

Autumn, traditional harvest season, is here – as those who are part of our Farmer Dave farmshares program can attest! – with its reminders of the goodness and plenitude of God’s creation. But at the same time, the incessant voices of politicians and the media speak of lean and precarious days. The anxiety felt by many about jobs, homes, and assets is ratcheted up. And there is reason for concern.

But a Biblical faith trains us to look through a different lens. It is of the plenty that God provides. It is a view that begins with what we have, rather than what we don’t have. It involves the recalling of God’s care and providing for Israel as it wandered through the wilderness, and Jesus’ teaching that his followers should consider the flowers of the field as they ponder how their own needs may be met. Biblical faith trusts God to provide enough for our need, and calls us to see that we also have enough to share.

Consider the wealth that our church holds. Not in huge financial assets, to be sure! But in generosity of spirit, in rich diversity of members, in those who volunteer their time and talents…and it is from this abundance that we take our starting point for determining how we will meet the ministries God is calling us to do.

As individuals and as a congregation, let’s not be dictated to by the constant stoking of fears of scarcity all around us. We are here to recognize what we have, and to be joyful stewards of the Lord.

A congregation once hosted a young Honduran woman for eight months of working in the church and the community. When she was getting ready to return home, she was asked what she would tell her home church about her experience with American Christians. I will tell them that you are a kind and good people, she said, whose job is to figure out what to do with all of your things.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others.

Peace,

Rod