Leadership

With great interest I read the story of Franconia Mennonite Conference congregations holding a fund-raiser for congregations of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. The current recession has had a significant impact on many residents of Elkhart County in northern Indiana, and thus on Indiana-Michigan congregations. This generous act was celebrated by many Indiana-Michigan congregations as they received the gifts from sister congregations in the East.

By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.—Luke 1:78-79 NRSV

With great interest I read the story of Franconia Mennonite Conference congregations holding a fund-raiser for congregations of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference (“Pa. Mennonites Help Indiana Churches,” June 2). The current recession has had a significant impact on many residents of Elkhart County in northern Indiana, and thus on Indiana-Michigan congregations. This generous act was celebrated by many Indiana-Michigan congregations as they received the gifts from sister congregations in the East.

One evening on the national news I heard the story of a local schoolteacher who was concerned about students going hungry on weekends. During the week, the students were getting free breakfast and lunch, but on the weekends they often went without meals because their parents had lost jobs. The teacher organized volunteers, asked for food donations and soon was feeding these students and their families on weekends.

Sometimes during difficult times we find the most amazing stories of giving. They are stories of people who go above and beyond to make a difference.Despite the fact that most of us have smaller retirement accounts, some of us are unemployed and many of us have seen a decrease in our income, we are still a wealthy people when compared with the rest of the world. God has been gracious and given us far more than we need. Our standard of living is considerably higher than that of most people. We have plenty to eat and have warm and comfortable homes. We have much to be grateful for this Christmas season.

Jesus spoke often about money—and how we should use our money. The rich young ruler was asked to give away all his money—something he decided he couldn’t do. His love for his money exceeded his desire to follow Jesus (Matthew 19:16-23).

Zacchaeus gave away half his wealth in order to make amends and follow Jesus (Luke 19:1-10). We know the story of the widow’s mite—she gave all she had (Mark 12:41-44). We are also familiar with the story of the boy who shared his bread and fish, his lunch. God multiplied the boy’s lunch to feed thousands (John 6:1-14).

Jesus gave of himself day after day. It didn’t matter how tired he was. He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind and preached the gospel. He cared for people each and every day.

We have many Mennonite organizations who are literally feeding the hungry and taking care of the widows and orphans. Our congregations are involved in numerous local, regional and international ministries. Our congregational pastors our visiting the sick, praying with the dying and counseling those in crisis. We have many opportunities to give our money to ministries that are making a difference in this world. We all want to make a difference—to change a life. Giving our money is a way to reach out and change lives.

If we don’t feel we can give money, then giving of our time and talents is another way of giving. Take the time to talk to a visitor after church, for example. Or visit our neighbor we don’t know very well. Call a friend who has been ill. All of these take little time but are significant acts of charity.

The Advent season is about waiting and anticipating the birth of Jesus. It is about hope. We hope the Holy Spirit will fill us and teach us to be followers of Jesus.

While we have become assimilated into our world, let’s follow a different path this Christmas season. Let’s allow God to show us how to be generous people. Let’s allow our money and our time to make a difference—to make a difference for Jesus. Reach out. Let others see Jesus in you.