When
Betty Amsden was an 8 year-old girl she walked into a candy shop not knowing
that when she walked out her life would be changed forever. As she tells the
story, ‘‘I was kneeling down and driving the man behind the counter mad
choosing things - sherberts, liquorice - and I asked the girl behind me what
she was getting. She said, ‘Nothing, I haven’t any money’. So I said, ‘Squat
down beside me and we’ll get some together’.’’
She
describes that moment as the most difficult donation of her life. The money in
her pocket was a lot in more than one way. Not only was it money she had earned
herself, working hard for it, but it was all the money she had in the world. And
now she was giving some of it to a stranger. Which turned out to be okay
because, as Betty tells it, ‘‘[That girl] became my greatest friend and we went
through life together.’’
I
would say the exchange was a fair one;
a donation for a friend.
Today
Miss Amsden is considered one of the greatest philanthropists, giving more than
$6.5 million to Melbourne’s Art Centre to use towards scholarships, leadership
training, and youth programs. She also supports the Australian Ballet School,
Polyglot Theatre, the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Victorian Opera and Guide
Dogs Victoria. But, her support goes far beyond a monetary donation as she
believes in being a hands-on participant.
She
says. “To me, that’s what philanthropy is about. It doesn’t matter what you give
or how much [you give], [just] give of yourself. You must care for other
people. It’s taken me 80-odd years to work this out.” She adds, “I just wish I
had 20 times the money I have so that I could do 20 times more good.”
Betty
Amsden is a living example of what Paul is saying in today’s passage.
In
this part of Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians he is asking for
money. If we read what comes just before this we’ll see that not only is Paul
asking for money, but he’s comparing the giving he hopes the church in Corinth
will give to the donations already given by the churches in Macedonia.
Within
the comparison, however, is a challenge as well. You see, the churches in Corinth
were very wealthy. Corinth itself had a good socio-economic make-up with a
majority of the people in the middle class, a few poor and fewer rich. But as
it is for many communities in that time, the rich held the power.
It’s
believed Paul wrote the second letter to the churches in Corinth from
Macedonia, which in stark contrast was a poor region. The churches within
Macedonia include Thessalonica and Philippi and were among the first churches
to be started by Paul. We are told by Paul himself that the area of Macedonia
was poor when he writes in this letter that, “the churches of Macedonia suffered
a severe ordeal of affliction and extreme poverty.”
This
fact, though, did not hinder Macedonia’s giving as we are also told that their
churches gave donations to Paul with abundant joy and with a wealth of generosity.
As Paul also points out the Macedonian churches voluntarily gave according to
their means.
That
point, how the churches are giving according to their means, is the focus of
today’s passage.
Paul
begins today’s passage by praising the Corinthian church. Paul recognizes the
hard work they have made in all aspects of church life – faith, knowledge,
eagerness to learn and ability to share their belief with others. I believe that if Paul were around today he
would say the same thing about Ewa Community Church.
In
the 3 months I’ve been here I’ve been witness to the same things about our
church. I have seen how strong your faith is and how passionate you are about
our church. I enjoy the questions you ask and your willingness to participate
in bible study and other educational discussions. I have sat with some of you
as you told me stories about how your own lives have been changed because of
this church and your firm grounding in Jesus Christ.
Yes,
I truly believe that if Paul was around today he would have nothing but praise
for us, just as I do. When people ask me how I’m doing here I always tell them
how great the people of Ewa Community Church are and how willing you are to
engage in conversation with open minds and hearts.
This,
I believe, is the type of church Paul was engaging in this letter. Maybe the
only difference between the Corinthian church and ours was the amount of wealth
they had. However, unlike our church it would seem that the Corinthian church
was unwilling to let go of any of that wealth; hence why Paul compared the
Corinthian church to the Macedonian churches.
Paul
urges the Corinthians to give according to their abilities, something the
Macedonians did. Paul does not say they have to give everything they have, nor does
he say they have to give anything at all. His is simply a request that the
Corinthian church show their love in the same way other churches have; being
sincere in providing for the well-being of those outside their church walls.
This
is something we all can do. Individually we may not have a lot. But working
together we can provide for the well-being of those outside these walls in a
meaningful way. While some of us have the abilities to help with the plumbing,
yard work or building maintenance, others of us have the gift of reaching out
and calling on those in need of a friend, or bringing someone a meal, or helping
run errands. Then there are those of us who have a lifetime of knowledge and
wisdom who are more than willing to share in the things they have learned.
We,
each of us, have a gift which, when we put them together, can only make our
church and our community a better place. And there’s no better feeling than
being a witness to these gifts being offered. Because, as Paul also mentions,
it is through God’s grace, shown to us by the life examples of Jesus Christ,
that we are all to benefit from what is given in the name of love.
For,
as Paul reminds us, Jesus had everything, being the son of God, and yet came to
live among us with no possessions of his own to claim. He was born poor, lived
poor, died poor. While on earth he asked for those who could give to do so for
others – if you have an extra coat give one away, if your neighbor asks for
bread in the middle of the night wake up and give him some.
Jesus
actually lived with people who were considered the outcasts of society – he ate
with tax collectors, touched lepers, allowed women to learn from his teachings.
And he broke a lot of the laws of his people during his time such as working on
the Sabbath.
But
what Jesus did, he did because for him to do anything less would be to not show
the graces of God. If through his example Jesus could show just one person what
it truly meant to have a God who took you into his family, regardless of where
you were on life’s journey, then Jesus’ ministry on earth was well worth the
sacrifices he made.
As
we sit here today we can proclaim that because of Jesus’ example of grace at
work, we are all united under one God, as one people. Paul, though, takes this
a step further and challenges the Corinthian churches to be just as Christ was
– eager to share the loving graces of God. And Paul says to do so in the way
they can, according to the gifts they have.
A
few years ago I was in Kaka’ako Park as part of our Worship in the Park
services. The services included singing, prayers, scripture and a message, just
like a Sunday service. The services were held on Thursday nights and would
include anywhere between 40 and 60 attendees.
The
people who lived in and around Kaka’ako Park included many single men and
women, with the oldest person being in their sixties. There were also families
in which the children ranged in age from newborns to teenagers. Some people
only came for the food, but a vast majority came for the worship.
Three
weeks out of the month we served a bag dinner consisting of sandwiches, fruit,
chips, cookies or some other sweet snack, and a drink. The last week of each
month we served a hot meal, and as you might imagine we usually had more
visitors on the nights the hot meal was served.
I
particularly remember this one night. It was during the winter, so by the time
we served the meal it was cold and dark. The line seemed longer than usual,
with close to 100 people in attendance. We usually prepared for 80 people on
the nights we served the hot meal, and it looked as though on this night we
might fall a little short.
The
word went out that we had more people than expected, but we would do our best
to be sure everyone in line was served. We usually had enough rice and salad to
go around, as well as enough desserts; it was the main course we worried about
most.
It
was my turn to serve the main course for that night, and if memory serves me it
was hamburger stew. I apologized to our guests for not having enough as I put a
little less than I normally would have on their plates. However, as much as I
apologized I heard twice as many people return with a sincerely grateful “thank
you” and “it’s ok’s we’re just glad you’re here.”
As
the line lessened it seemed we might just make it to the end and that everyone
would be served a hot meal for that night. As the people continued to come
through I noticed 2 men who kept looking at me and turning away when my eyes
met theirs. It wasn’t one of those creepy looks, but a look that was almost
shameful for having to be there.
One
of the men was in his late 20’s while the other was much older, maybe in his
60’s. As they got closer I watched the younger man pulling the older man along,
gently tugging at his arm as if to say “come along.” I finally caught the
younger man’s gaze and flashed him a smile, hopefully one that conveyed the
message that he was welcome and so was his friend.
The
2 men finally reached the line and graciously accepted each gift of food that
was placed on their plate. We had lots of rice, and the younger man asked if he
could have an extra scoop. The older man simply held out his plate to accept
whatever was placed there; his eyes never looked up.
They
both stood in front of me, waiting to have the hot stew placed on their plate.
The younger man looked up, locking his eyes into mine as he voiced one more
request; “Could you please give my portion to my friend, he needs it more than
I do.”
The
older man looked up, his eyes tired, his face sallow, and just as quick as it
took him to peek into my eyes he looked away.
I
told the younger man I would be happy to and placed an extra portion of hot
stew on the older man’s plate, and since I knew we would probably have enough I
reached out to give the younger man a portion as well. To my surprise he pulled
his plate back and told me that he wanted to give away his portion, and that’s
what he did. He added that there were still more people in line and he wanted
to be sure they all got something to eat.
He
grabbed the older man by the arm and led him to a quiet place on the grass to
have their meal.
God’s
grace is given freely without expectation of return. Jesus lived his life
offering this same kind of grace to those he met on his journeys.
Philanthropist Betty Amsden offered grace to those in need without expectation
of anything in return. That young man in the park offered grace without
expectation of anything in return.
The
question to us is how are we going to do the same? God gives each of us the ability to show
grace. We don’t have to give our lives, or large amounts of money, or give up
our meal for the night. All we are called to do is offer ourselves to the best
of our abilities to make a difference in the lives around us. A difference
which will bring peace, hope, and joy to the people God puts in our lives.
God
is with us all. Amen.
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