• What does it mean to give and to receive welcome?
• What can we learn from this practice?
• Why is it risky?

Beginning the week of July 18^th, I will be leading a 4-week group study of a book entitled Hospitality – Risking Welcome, a study of Christian Character in Community.

This is a unique class that combines prayer, group discussion, movie clips, and biblical interpretation.  I guarantee it will be the best group study that you could ever participate in!  The cost for the book is only $5! Hospitality is an invitation into community, but not to a community in which everyone is the same. This community values diversity and treats difference with respect, awe, and hopefulness. I invite you to join us as we learn how to reflect this kind of hospitality.

— Pastor Chris
chris@firstumctorrance.org

This past spring I led a spiritual growth group and we worked through Patricia Wilson’s book, When You Come Unglued…Stick Close to God. One of the chapters in the book really challenged me to look deeply at how money affects my thoughts, my actions, and my life.

One of the first things that I learned was that our attitude about money affects every area of our lives. We all have to take a deep and intentional look at our true feelings about money. As you read the following phrases I invite you to finish them to begin the process of uncovering your true feelings about money. “Money makes people … ” “Money equals … ” “If I had money I’d … ” “Not having enough money is … ” As you examine your answers, ask yourself what role money plays in your life. Does the lack of money or the abundance of money play a leading role? For most of us it does play a leading role – even if we don’t want to admit it.

In America our culture teaches us to be concerned about money; we are either concerned about saving money, getting more money, or having less money. And, as Christians we have been taught that the love of money “is the root of all evil.” While some of those phrases may sound ok, they are all wrong. Friends, money is neither good nor bad. Money itself is neutral; it is how we use our money that determines its ethical value.

The question we have to ask ourselves is, “Are we being good stewards over our resources?” Being a good steward requires more than just giving, it is a call to have faith in an abundant God. We have to believe that God has given us more than we need, and in doing so, God is calling us to live within that abundance. When we believe in an abundant God it is easy for us to give away our resources because we know that there is more than enough for everyone. When-we believe in an abundant God, we are able to receive God’s blessing without feeling guilty because we know that there is more than enough for everyone.

I believe in an abundant God because I am blessed by God’s abundance every day. I have more than enough food to eat, and more than enough clothes to wear. I have a loving wife and loving church family. This abundance encourages me to give my time, talents, and treasure to everyone – even if they don’t deserve it! Because, in order for me to be able to receive I have to give) in order to fill a cup, the cup first must be emptied.

The consequences of not giving, not emptying yourself, of not being a good steward cast a wide net. We only have to look at the financial crisis on Wall Street to see the effect that greed and not believing that there is enough for everyone can have on the world. Specifically to our church, the consequences are wide ranging, as well. Every ministry in our church depends on our giving; Sunday school, choir, outreach, and staff positions are all affected by our financial struggles. I don’t say this to scold you or to scare you—I say this to be transparent and honest.

This is not a letter of doom and gloom; it is a letter of encouragement and empowerment! I encourage you all to keep the leadership of our church and our financial situation in your daily prayers. We cannot work through this situation on our own, and we desperately need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us through this matter. Remember, all God asks of us is that we grow to be good stewards of our abundance. And, if God were to ask you that question at this very moment, how would you feel about your answer?

Peace and Blessings,
—Pastor Chris