Whenever I officiate at a funeral, I quote the following lines near the end of the service: "And finally, ACT as if it all depends on you.  It doesn't, for no one can do it alone; it depends on us.  We are here to help one another, or else what's this for?"  In these current times of economic woe, it's hard to think about anyone else but one's self: one's own depleted stock portfolio, one's own vanished 4O1K, one's own vulnerable retirement savings.  In such times as these, it's even harder to think about voluntarily giving away further economic resources.

As devastating as the Great Depression was (and we all hope and pray another one never happens), nevertheless, some actual good came out of it.  Rampant capitalist individualism was the order of the day prior to Black Friday of October 1929.  Most everyone was a speculator thinking only about their own personal fortune, with the poor and struggling left to fend for themselves.  After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, that all changed.  Most everyone joined the ranks of the poor overnight.  People could no longer fend for themselves or be concerned with just their own lives because everyone was in the same boat.  This brought about a temporary end to capitalist individualism and a rise in community, where everybody had to depend on each other just to live another day.  Perhaps at no other time in American history did community-i.e., people depending on each other-become so important, so necessary, so strong.  And that's how people got through those times: they shared what little resources they had with each other so that everyone was able to get by.  In short, they acted "as if it all depends on you.  It doesn't, for no one can do it alone; it depends on us. We are here to help one another, or else what's this for?"

This is the huge lesson behind the proper stewardship of financial resources.  None of our money belongs to us.  As wise Solomon says, "Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."  As to the purpose, the Apostle Peter reminds us, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."  Thus, the fruit of the proper stewardship of our money is the creation of God's community.  That's an incredible gift and the best use of our-I mean, God's-financial resources, don't you think?

 

‘But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill-offering? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are aliens and transients before you, as were all our ancestors; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. I know, my God, that you search the heart, and take pleasure in uprightness; in the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.  O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep for ever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts towards you.

 

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.