Giving Is Loving Our Neighbor Series

1 John 4:5-12 “Giving is … Loving Neighbor”

INTRODUCTION

We are on disaster overload. Monday morning we woke up to the news that the worst mass shooting in United States history had taken place in Las Vegas. A week ago we were dealing with the devastation in Puerto Rico, which was caused by hurricane Maria. Before that we were overwhelmed by the tremendous loss of life and property in Florida by hurricane Irma and in Texas by hurricane Harvey. These disasters flood our lives with grief and a sense of dread. All of these events were beyond our control. We are reminded that life is fragile—it can be broken quickly and easily, and it is precarious.

As followers of Jesus, our faith helps us to understand (in some small way) these events and guides us as we live in their shadow in the coming days. As we talk about being stewards and managers of our lives and the blessings that we have received, with these events in mind, we are able to form a greater understanding of what it means to practice stewardship.

WHERE IS GOD?

Many ask the question, “Where is God?” Some think that God was standing in judgment. God was judging Las Vegas—or expressing dislike for country music. Harvey was God’s judgment on America for accepting same sex marriages, or for the devastating pollution caused by the oil industry. Such words make a mockery of the cross of Christ.

We are often told that Jesus died for our sins. God’s judgment was carried out on the cross thousands of years ago. Because of the cross of Christ we know that such disasters as Harvey or a crazed shooter are not judgments of God.

God’s incarnation—God taking on human form and entering human history tells us that God was in the middle of the devastation and the suffering. God was comforting the dying and giving strength to the survivors. Working through the gifts and talents of people, God was with the first responders and moving through the lives of those who gave to relief efforts or stood in line for hours in order to give blood.

WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

Knowing that God was using the talents of the first responders, we follow their example in our efforts to be stewards. We love.

We couldn’t prevent the disasters of Harvey, Irma or Maria. We could, though, act in love and give gifts to alleviate their need. I hope that you accessed the ELCA website and gave to the Lutheran Disaster Relief. Doing so assured that 100% of your gift made its way to the victims of those disasters.

Because of love, thousands of people stood in line for hours in order to give blood. Unfortunately such a supply of willing donors dwindles between disasters and there is frequently a shortage of blood. Love is needed every day. This is one reason why we have ongoing opportunities to share our blessings. We have collected water throughout the summer. We give to the Valley View Food Bank on the first Sunday of the month. We are constantly gathering supplies for Shoebox Ministries, or giving our loose change to Bridge to Hope.

We are bold enough to ask your support of Desert Streams, because we are making a difference in the lives of people. The people around us are being touched by your love. Children are being taught about God’s love and grace. In the middle of their struggles, people are being surrounded in prayer. Prayer shawls let them know that a community of believers is surrounding them in prayer. And there are scores of other examples.

The love that John talks about in his letter is a love that is lived out each day. We give of ourselves to those around us. We allow ourselves to be used (not abused). When a friend or co-worker needs to talk, we listen. We lend a helping hand when appropriate. Money is given when needed and precious time is expended all because we love.

LIVES OF LOVE

At the second service, we are going to be baptizing two boys, Ian and Conner Lopez. They have been born into an uncertain world. They have also been born into a loving world surrounded with the love of their parents and family. Now they will be reborn into a relationship with a loving God, who promises never to be separated from them. That same God fills them with the Holy Spirit and commissions them to love.

We too are commissioned by our baptism to live lives of love. This is not an easy love. It is hard and it is sacrificial. Yet, it is the love that makes a difference in a broken world.

CONCLUSION

God sent God’s son into a hurting world. God sends us into a broken world. We can’t prevent disasters and tragedies, nor can we work miracles. We can, though, love, and that is life changing for us and for the world in which we live.

Amen.