From February 2016 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
I write today as I remember the life of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. My family has two traditions on MLK, Jr. Day. One is to listen to James Taylor’s song “Shed a Little Light,” The second is to listen to King’s famous “I have a dream” speech delivered on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial. When you think of King, you may not immediately think of the word “generosity.” You may think of other words like justice, civil rights, leader, danger, or advocate.
Normally, we hear the word “generosity” during fundraising appeals, the Christmas giving season, and from the church during an annual stewardship drive, which can tend to become more of a fundraising than a “faith-raising” experience. Generosity is used as a one-time or short time appeal to get us to give, especially to give financially. About one year ago, my family traveled to Boise, ID. While we were there, we attended a church with our friends. The message I got from the pastor, congregation, and leaders was one of generosity. Generosity, from what I experienced there, was not what I can do for their institution – to boost their worship attendance numbers or increase their income. Instead, I got the feeling that this church was interested in developing and deepening the faith of its people. That’s a different direction than we’re used to when we think of generosity.
I looked up the definition of generosity. Definitions I found are: “freely giving,” “marked by abundance,” “showing kindness toward others,” and “showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected.” The word “generous” is an adjective that describes a person who does these things. “Generosity” is a noun that describes a person who is in the state or condition of being generous. Generosity is also not something a person can turn on and off like a light switch. Generosity is not about a program or fundraising. Generosity is simply a way of living. We exercise generosity first by an attitude. The attitude of generosity involves joy, choice, a sense of abundance, and the desire to use our God-given gifts to work together for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). This attitude of generosity affects how we interact with our family and friends, how we exercise hospitality, how we talk with people with whom we disagree, how and where we use our money, how and where we use our time … basically, everything!
Research has been conducted on the impact of generosity on those who are generous. I’ve combined a few lists:
- Good for your health – lowers stress, is good for mental health, and can help you life longer.
- Good for your relationships – good for marriage, friendships, and working relationships. Generosity builds and strengthens relationships.
- Contagious – generosity begets generosity. It is difficult to receive generosity and not be generous in return.
- Joy – it feels good to be generous and to give of yourself for the sake of others without expectation.
During Lent this year, Bethel will focus on the theme “Living a Generous Life.” But we have to be clear about what Bethel’s role is in this generosity. I would like Bethel to be an opportunity for you – an opportunity to help you listen more closely to the Holy Spirit, an opportunity to challenge you and help you find where God may be directing you to live generously (it may be different for different people), and an opportunity for you to try new ways of being generous. Bethel should be a safe place for us to learn, experiment, and fail. How else will we grow as Jesus’ disciples?
Lent starts early this year. Make note of the following dates:
- Shrove Tuesday pancake supper is February 9
- Ash Wednesday Service is February 10 at 7:15pm
- Wednesday Lenten soup suppers start on February 17 at 6:00pm, and the service follows at 7:15pm
In Christ,
Pastor Jeff
Epicurious Lutheran 