Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from The First Book of Chronicles, Chapter 29 verse 5, “Now who else is willing to give a generous offering to the Lord,” (NRSVB). The background to this verse is situated in the story of King David. He yearned to build a temple for the Lord. The prophet Nathan was told, through a vision from God, that he had to inform David that God does not want him to build the temple, for the honour will befall his son, Solomon. David accepted God’s instruction and decided to build a large treasury of wood, gold and silver and all other commodities that would be needed to construct the temple. He set these offerings aside so that his son would have enough material to build the temple. King David then called on all the elders and those who wanted to see the building of the temple, who might not live to enjoy the accomplishment of this task in their life-time, to contribute as well. Thus they would all indirectly share in the building of the temple, by investing their offering towards their hope of a future temple.
We read in the historic account of the consecration of the temple by King Solomon, after the long building period, regarding the great joy that was experienced by the entire nation. They celebrated the completion of the building of the Temple of the Lord, using the gifts and offerings of the faithful through the generations. The legacy of King David, and the entire nation of believers, contributed to the beauty of the centre of Israel’s worship, the Temple in Jerusalem. The House of the Lord, the meeting place of the faithful, was a place of unparalleled magnificence, where all believers met together, and worshipped God in awe and reverent fear. After the worship service there was time for fellowship and meals were served. All celebrated and shared together, taking portions home to share with those who were sick and poor, and those who were prevented to attend worship. The legacy of our faith is marked by the joy of sharing God’s word and his promises with those with whom we come in contact. Believers have the opportunity, and godly instruction, to extend the joyous invitations to come and join in the worship and communion together, in the presence of the Lord in his House.
The riches of the word of God and it’s treasury that has been given to the church is beautifully illustrated in a story regarding the Bishop of Myra, Bishop Nicolaus, who lived in the fourth century. Myra was a port city, in what is today’s, Turkey. A terrible drought plagued the nation and famine broke out. Ships with grain were coming from the neighbouring countries to help the starving people and were due to port in Myra. Ahead of the fleet of ships, a fleet of pirate vessels blocked the entry and sent pirates to the land to demand all their gold, silver and other precious items, before they would give entry to the ships bringing the wheat. The pirates were a very powerful and fearful group of criminals and the people obeyed and brought all their valuables. However, the pirates were not satisfied and demanded the children of the inhabitants to be given to sell as slaves. The people cried out in desperation.
Suddenly a strong voice was heard: “Let the children go. I have brought you all the riches of the Gospel and the Church as ransom for the children!” Bishop Nicolaus stood there with the elders of the church, having brought the beautiful and priceless treasures of the church, the vestments, the communion vessels and the golden and bejewelled crosses. The children were freed, the wheat ships came through and faith was renewed in the city of Myra. The gifts of the faithful through the ages contributed to save the city and her children and people through the love and compassion of the Lord, reigning in the community of the church. They were willing and eager to part with their God-gifted gifts, in order to save the people. This is the gift of the Gospel in all its fullness. Temporary gifts help to alleviate temporary conditions, but the gift of the Gospel brings many to faith and believing through the sharing of the riches of the church. God has given his church as a vessel to distributed means of grace to the world. Through the church the world is blessed. In many places and situations the church’s voice is quietened and she is oppressed and denied her position of service in the world. However, we are promised that Christ himself will keep his church for he is the foundation and cornerstone.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his Second Letter to the Corinthians, in Chapter 9 verse 7, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion,” (NRSVB). Paul was collecting on behalf of the Church in Jerusalem, who suffered under a great famine, but also under severe persecution. The gifts that were collected were sent to the believers in order to survive in the hostile environment of that time. Gifts of believers in the spiritual realm, are worship and prayers and praise that continuously rise up to the Lord. Gifts in the material realm, are the gifts of time and gifts of financial and other assets and physical offerings that contribute to the means that the church has to share the gospel and its abundance in the world. Jesus first fed the listeners with physical bread before he filled them with the nourishment of the spiritual bread. The church of the first and second century was known for the special benevolence towards all, and their specific concern for the physical welfare of the people of the cities, where the groups of believers came together to worship.
Father, help us as your church, to exhibit the Gospel of Your Love on the Cross, and your deep concern for the people in the communities where we find ourselves worshipping. Let us share the gifts of the church to ransom the poor and sick, the lonely and destitute, and thus be your hands and feet and your voice in a hurting world. This we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.