Pilgrim Uniting Church

Once school had commenced again for the year, the teacher sat her primary class down on the mat and she asked them what they got at presents. After hearing there responses she asked them what they gave. One little boy said he gave his sister the chickenpox for Christmas.

Giving to the needy is one of the hallmarks of the Church. Out of twenty-five aid agencies in Australia, twenty one of them are Christian. That’s a staggering statistic.

Matthew 6:1-6 Giving to the needy and instructions on fasting (not a public affair)

Have you ever heard the expression, ‘God loves a cheerful giver’. I’m not sure where it comes from but I think there is an element of truth in it. Giving to someone else in need has positive connotations for the giver and the givee.

Giving isn’t to be to bolster ones position in society, to be big noted but to humbly give. It would seem that the one giving is in a position to give.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets 6:2. I find it interesting watching musicals on TV when a situation happens then suddenly the character breaks into song. Where are the musicians? When one gives as a personal expression of faith, it doesn’t need to be announced. If it is announced one has to ask the question, ‘what was the reason that it was announced?’

I believe one of the roles of the Church is to be involved in her society with the care of and for the needy, those who are disadvantaged and suffer (emotionally, physically and spiritually). Giving to the needy isn’t a practice just to make us feel good but it is a biblical mandate. We are to give because it is part of the nature and character of God. We give because it is in the character of the Church to do so. Not because we expect any kind of reward. True evangelism is sharing of (not that’s it’s a possession) and giving because that is Godly but to expect a reward or only to evangelise to ‘grow our church’ is an abuse of the gospels messages. It is because of a belief in God and the growing of a relationship with God that evangelism, giving to the needy is undertaken.

What if we might find ourselves in a position where we need the help of others or are needy at one point in time. A generalistaion which has merit is, we all need the help of someone or someone's from time to time. I have done and do need the help of others for advise, guidance, friendship, support and care, that’s one reason for being involved in a Church/faith community. I could be the one who is needy or in need of some care and if you’re like me then you wouldn’t want to overhear a conversation of someone boasting of ‘how they had been able to help you’. When in a position to be able to give to someone else the giving is for the benefit of the givee (the one who is receiving) not the giver (the one who is giving).

Fasting was practiced at least twice a week by the Pharisees and it was noticeable they were fasting by the ash smeared on their faces or a covering over their heads[1]. Whereas the disciple while fasting continues on as business as usual. It seems to be a personal thing. Tonight we are gathered together at the Ash Wednesday service and the ashes which are placed upon our foreheads are not simply to remember the past. After all, it is last years palm leaves which were burnt. The ashes are a symbol of our God of the past who we recognize as our God of the present and future. The giving nature of God

There is a sense of giving in both passages of scripture from Matthews gospel, as in giving to the needy and giving of a person to fast, to go without food for a period of time. At a younger age to what I am now I have undertaken the World Vision 40 hour famine and it is a difficult task to pursue, to purposefully go without food for an extended period of time. What are we hoping to discover, reflect upon or be surprised by over this time of lent?

As we are fast approaching Lent, we can consider two questions we are able to ask of ourselves Do we see the things that God is doing? Are we open to what God is doing? The Church at her heart is a giving institution.

[1] R T France, Matthew, Inter-Varisty Press, England, p137.

This message was preached at
St Gregory's The Great Roman Catholic Church, Doncaster
by Rev Darryn Hickling of Pilgrim Uniting Church, Doncaster,
20 Westfield Drive Doncaster 3108.
Phone: 9889 1138 Mobile: 0403 265 342
darrynhickling@pilgrimuca.org.au
www.pilgrimuca.org.au

Enquiries about the Christian faith are always welcome.

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