With the opening of a serious discussion over change and reform within the United Methodist Church, I think it was some kind of blessing that Cornerstone UMC had its special guest preacher, the Rev. Jim Bell, draw out the main point of that oft-used stewardship-campaign Scripture in 2 Corinthians, "God loves a cheerful giver," and all that. I loved that he noted its popularity, near-ubiquity in fact, then went to the heart of the passage.
This isn't about giving because we are asked to do it. This isn't about giving because we should feel compelled to do it. This isn't about giving so that the Church can look busy doing all sorts of good stuff. What's it about is this (and Paul is very clear, in verse 12 of chapter 8 (REB): "for as a piece of willing service this is not only a contribution towards the needs of God's people; more than that, it overflows in a flood of thanksgiving to God."(emphasis added)
In other words, it's not about what we want, or what the Church asks of us. It isn't even about "doing stuff". It's about giving God glory because, well, you know, God is God. It's that simple. We don't give because we are promised promiscuous return from God's bounty (although we are promised that); we don't give so that all sorts of programs can ensue that feed the hungry, house the homeless, clothe the naked, and work for peace and justice in our neighborhoods and around the world (although it does that). We give because, well, God has given and asks - and it is a request not a compulsion - that we give back. All that God gave is everything that God is (see Philippians 2 if you don't believe me), so giving some of our own shouldn't be too much, right?
See, the Church doesn't exist to perpetuate itself, its structures, agencies, hierarchies, or even name. It exists for God, to be about God's work. All the structure and all the agencies and various levels of bureaucracy all are just means to the end of serving God. When I read a study document from the UMC that asserts this upfront - that we exist for God, not for ourselves - I not only will get behind it. I will see it being successful. As it stands right now, worrying about vital congregations before letting those congregations know that they have life not from themselves but from God, because God has called them together will get us nowhere.
