HEART, THEN HAND

Commitment of the heart means action of the hands that match. Tom Brokaw's book America's Greatest Generation understood such commitment as well as such action. In World War II the nation's existence was threatened, freedom needed to be defended. In battles on land and sea the blood of scores of husbands, sons, fathers-women, too-was shed to gain necessary victories. Commitment brought action. Back home deeply committed people rationed, collected scrap metal, made parts from one make of car work in another, and so much more. They encouraged each others' hearts to, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without," all for the united and dedicated cause. Americans of that time first dedicated their hearts and then their hands.

Paul encouraged the Christians in Corinth to look at the dedicated hearts and hands of Christian people in Macedonia. They were united and dedicated to the cause of helping the famine-stricken Christians of Jerusalem with a monetary offering. Though these Macedonian Christians were not "well off," inspired Scripture tells us, "They gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to us in keeping with God's will" (2 Corinthians 8:5). Prompted by the Spirit of grace, these Christians actually "urgently pleaded for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints" (v. 4). Why? Because their hearts belonged to the Lord, who opened His heart to so love them that He gave His Son, who poured out His very soul in a bloody and eternal sacrifice to win for them freedom from sin, death, and the devil and to give them the riches of heaven. God gave His heart first, then, His hands extended on the cross; in response, the Corinthians gave their hearts, then their hands.

HANDS FOLLOW HEARTS

Where the heart is the hand has to be. That's true physically, spiritually it is just as truthful. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). Conversely, where our heart is, that is also where our treasure will be.  

Today we again find ourselves at war, but we are not much affected back home, are we? We still have plenty, there's no rationing, and we're not scowering the ditches for metal. It would seem that we are far better off than the Macedonians in their "poverty." Yet, statistics indicate that the giving in churches in America is at a lesser percentage of income than in World War II, less a percentage even than during the Great Depression.

Do we get upset when we are reminded that Christian giving is also a part of our Christian life? Yes, we do. For sadly our sinful nature remains attached to us. Greediness, lack of trust, misplaced priorities, and redefining of "wants" as "needs" can interfere with our giving to the Lord. Sadly, for decades our congregations and synod have flat-lined in financial resources. Factor in inflation and there's actually a prorated decline in the value of our offerings. Sadly, some Kingdom work must be set aside, "subject to funding."

In view of this, God isn't looking for just a little improvement or increased giving with a "Harrumph -- Oh, all right!" guilt-driven motive. No, rather, He seeks what only the Holy Spirit can produce: a change of heart-a thankful heart.

THANKFUL HEARTS, THANKFUL HANDS

Paul's words struck home concerning the offering that the Corinthians had left unfinished. But Paul did not bring guilt upon them to motivate them into giving. He reminded them of "the surpassing grace God has given," which led to the response, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:14-15). Thanks for God's forgiving grace in Christ Jesus was what was left in their hearts when the Holy Spirit removed the guilt and burden of their sins. By God's grace, thankful hands followed thankful hearts.

The Holy Spirit has blessed us in the same way as the believers in Corinth were blessed. He has made us free of sin through Jesus' blood and righteousness-even those sins involving our offerings that we neglected to give! The Holy Spirit has enabled us to be joyful, cheerful, and thankful to God for Christ's righteousness, which gives us salvation. Now with our hearts in prayers of thanks and our hands giving gifts to God, it is truly a thanks-offering. This Thanksgiving Day, give thanks to God with thankful hearts and thankful hands.

David Russow is co-pastor at King of Grace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, Minnesota and is a member of the ELS Board for Stewardship