“It is I, announcing vindication, mighty to save.”  Isaiah 63:1

Are you envious because I am generous?  So the last will be first.”  Matthew 20:15-16

The focus of my church stewardship campaign is generosity.  For weeks we have been hearing stories about generosity – Elisha, who generously shared his provision with others; Jesus, providing food to 5000 people knowing they would be hungry; the early church – each sharing his/her possessions.

And of course, God – giving us the Earth and all that lives; sustaining us; and redeeming us, sending us the Savior we desperately need, Jesus.  We have been reminded of God’s abounding and steadfast love, so great Jesus came to Earth himself, lived among us, cared for the sick and unloved, and died for all.

Several years ago, I received a Christmas card, the message a quote from author Sigrid Undset.  I still remember and read it over and over, a profound message of God’s generosity and love for humanity. 

“And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name,

let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars,

and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans—

and all that lives and moves upon them.

He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit

and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused—

and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins,

He came down to earth and gave us Himself.”

Amen

Verla Olson



 

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