Reflection for December 16th by Peter Hanson, Lead Pastor
Theologian and author C.S. Lewis once compared the offerings we give to God and for God’s work to a young child who asks their parent for money to buy that same parent a Christmas gift. Of course the parent gives the child the sixpence as requested, Lewis says. And of course, he continues, the parent truly appreciates the gift, and thanks the child genuinely and joyously for their thoughtfulness. But the parent would be a fool for thinking they had become sixpence richer in such an exchange, Lewis concludes. Any gift we may present to God has first come to us from God, and belongs to God.
Nonetheless, we can and do find great joy in giving what we can to God and for God’s mission. And we believe that God appreciates receiving all our gifts, and joyously accepts each such a gesture. Christ the King has long been a generous congregation, using our gifts to God to extend the reach of our ministry and to provide for our neighbors in need. This has not only continued, it has increased during these pandemic days. And while we would be fools for thinking that such acts of kindness somehow enrich God in the transaction, we can take comfort in the belief that God sees our generosity and is genuinely overjoyed by our thoughtfulness.
We pray: God of abundance, all things come from you, and all that we may give belongs to you already. Make of us a generous people, willing to give of our abundance to others near and far. Help us to be mindful of all we have received, and joyful in our giving. Amen.
(note: for the life of me, I still don’t know why this day’s image is three sacks of potatoes!)
Theologian and author C.S. Lewis once compared the offerings we give to God and for God’s work to a young child who asks their parent for money to buy that same parent a Christmas gift. Of course the parent gives the child the sixpence as requested, Lewis says. And of course, he continues, the parent truly appreciates the gift, and thanks the child genuinely and joyously for their thoughtfulness. But the parent would be a fool for thinking they had become sixpence richer in such an exchange, Lewis concludes. Any gift we may present to God has first come to us from God, and belongs to God.
Nonetheless, we can and do find great joy in giving what we can to God and for God’s mission. And we believe that God appreciates receiving all our gifts, and joyously accepts each such a gesture. Christ the King has long been a generous congregation, using our gifts to God to extend the reach of our ministry and to provide for our neighbors in need. This has not only continued, it has increased during these pandemic days. And while we would be fools for thinking that such acts of kindness somehow enrich God in the transaction, we can take comfort in the belief that God sees our generosity and is genuinely overjoyed by our thoughtfulness.
We pray: God of abundance, all things come from you, and all that we may give belongs to you already. Make of us a generous people, willing to give of our abundance to others near and far. Help us to be mindful of all we have received, and joyful in our giving. Amen.
(note: for the life of me, I still don’t know why this day’s image is three sacks of potatoes!)
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