[Propertalk] Fwd: Sermon Resources for November 11 - Part 1

[Joe Parrish]

Sermons for Proper 27
 
Mark 12:38-44 - "Giving"
Mark 12:38-44 - "The Lost Five Commandments" by Leonard Sweet
 
Mark 12, the sermon title "Giving"  



There was a man who called at the church and asked if he could speak to the Head Hog at the trough. The secretary said, "Who?" Then she gathered herself and said "Sir, if you mean our pastor you will have to treat him with a little more respect than that and ask for the 'Reverend' or 'The Pastor.' But certainly you cannot refer to him as the Head Hog at the Trough." The man said, "I understand. I was calling because I have $10,000 I was thinking about donating to the building fund." She said, "Hold on for just a moment - I think the big pig just walked in the door."
 
Now I am sure the secretary wouldn't treat me like that, some of the laity perhaps but not the secretary! But we all are subject to changing our tune when money is suddenly involved. That is why this passage of Scripture has been an enduring image throughout the ages. We play favorites. We treat those who give more as if they are the pillars on which the church is erected.
 
But consider with me another image. Jesus, sitting opposite the place where the offerings were put, is observing the people make their donations as they come into the temple. 
 
The rest of this sermon can be obtained by joining http://www.sermons.com/signup 
 
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The full text of the following sermon is available at www.Sermons.com. Sign up today at: http://www.sermons.com/signup Or call: 1-800-777-7731.
 
Members: See Mark 12 for the sermon titled "The Lost Five Commandments" by Leonard Sweet   
 
When Moses descended from the heights of Mount Sinai, he juggled in his arms not two but three Tablets of the Covenant, with five commandments inscribed on each. At least that's how Mel Brooks tells it in his classic comedy "History of the World, Part I." 
 
'Hear me, o hear me! All pay heed!' the movie Moses proclaims. 'The Lord, the Lord Jehovah, has given unto you these fifteen . . . [One stone tablet drops and shatters. A perplexed Moses looks down and mutters 'Oy!'] . . . ten, TEN commandments for all to obey!'
 
Of course, it never really happened that way. But what if it had? What if God had originally meant to give us fifteen commandments, and five got lost?"
 
What are the "Lost Five commandments," the "Other Five Commandments?" We can all wonder what was on that "lost tablet" and can nominate whatever five commandments we would like to add to God's "perfect ten." So this is a very personal list...
 
The rest of this sermon can be obtained by joining http://www.sermons.com/signup 
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You Never Missed It
 
A priest once asked one of his parishioners to serve as financial chairman of his parish. The man, manager of a grain elevator, agreed on two conditions: no report would be due for a year, and no one would ask any questions during the year. At the end of the year he made his report. He had paid off the church debt of $200,000. He had redecorated the church. He had sent money to missions. He had $5,000 in the bank. Needless to say, everyone wanted to know how. The man quietly explained, "You people bring your grain to my elevator. As you did business with me, I simply withheld 10 percent and gave it to the church. You never missed it." 
 
David E. Leininger, The View from Jesus' Pew
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Giving Till It Hurts
 
Don't give till it hurts. Give till it helps. The story is told of a very wealthy man who had never been known for his generosity to the church. The church was involved in a big financial program and they resolved to pay him a visit. When the committee met with the man one afternoon, they said that in view of his considerable resources they were sure that he would like to make a substantial contribution to this program.
 
"I see," he said, "so you have it all figured out have you? In the course of your investigation did you discover that I have a widowed mother who has no other means of support but me?" No, they responded, they did not know that. "Did you know that I have a sister who was left by a drunken husband with five children and no means to provide for them?" No, they said, we did not know that either. "Well, sir, did you know also that I have a brother who is handicapped due to an automobile accident and can never work another day to support his wife and family?" 
 
Embarrassingly, they responded, no sir, we did not know that either. "Well," he thundered triumphantly, "I've never given any of them a cent so why should I give anything to you?"
Like that man, most of us never give till it hurts or helps. It is interesting to me that people who tithe in the church never speak of it as hurting. My wife and I tithe and it has not made life painful for us in the least. We started discussing some days ago what our pledge to the church for next year would be and how we could increase it. That doesn't sound like it hurts does it? It is the grudging giver, who is the one who always registers the complaint: At that church all they talk about is money." So let us get off of this notion of give till it hurts so that we affirm we give till it helps.
 
Staff, www.Sermons.com. 
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