Stewardship Math and Everyday Miracles

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2010-04-19 13:38
by Gary Nelson, Stewardship Ministry Team

Many of us are impacted by budgets every single day. Whether they are budgets in our personal lives, our work lives, in our schools, in our county, state or country, at some point we all have the distinct pain or pleasure that can come from playing the budget game. The name of the game is having more come in than goes out. When that basic rule is broken, bad things can happen as we've seen in so many situations over the past couple of years.

Bethlehem Lutheran has a budget, too, and outside of a few tight spots from time to time, we are blessed with a financially solid congregation that plans wisely, gives generously, and steps up when needed. The Bethlehem budget works a little differently than normal budgets though, because it benefits from what I call "stewardship math" and everyday miracles. Here's how it works:

  • First, the amount coming in to Bethlehem is from the generosity of over 1000 families, who find true joy in making these gifts to God. The givers experience the true joy that comes from giving, and Bethlehem uses that money to carry out God's mission.
  • Next, while most budgets place strong emphasis on lowering expenses and tucking surplus away for a safety net, Bethlehem's budget focuses on growing. By expanding our ministry footprint we are carrying out God's mission right here, right now.
  • Finally, unlike most normal budgets, the Bethlehem budget gains from everyday miracles, made possible when individuals hear God's stewardship call, ignore the urge to add to their safety net, step up, give, and impact lives in ways that are striking and profound. Our outreach programs, for example, impact real people all the way from Minneapolis to India. And let's not forget our stunningly rapid response earlier this year when we exceeded the amount of last year's budget shortfall in a matter of weeks for earthquake relief effort in Haiti.

In celebration and recognition of these everyday miracles, on May 23 we will all have the opportunity to participate in "Miracle Sunday" when we ask God for guidance to help us find the collective generosity to retire a pesky deficit balance in the Bethlehem budget. I hope that you will participate and that you will see first-hand the power and the joy that comes from your generosity.

On behalf of the Stewardship Ministry Team, thank you for your generosity, and we look forward to your participation in "Miracle Sunday" May 23!