In November of 1977, a group of us from Calvary were touring the Orient. One of the places we visited was Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok is a very different place. One of my overall impressions of Bangkok was a city - very dirty - and full of hopeless people.

Our hotel was like an island. A modern high-rise in the middle of confusion, congestion, and poverty. One night - about dusk - I left the hotel to look around and find a few bargains - and I saw a sight that has never left my mind. On the sidewalk - a few feet away from our hotel entrance - sat a boy who was begging. This boy was crippled - his bones broken and pushing out at very odd angles. In other words, his bones had been broken and no attempt had been made to set them right.

I’ve learned that this is a common practice. Parents deliberately break the bones of their children so that they can earn more while begging. The more they are crippled - the more they are pitied - the more money people will give to them.

In my travels I have seen other things that have made me sad - and angry. But this one picture sticks with me as a vivid reminder of just how desperate the people of this world can be.

Jesus spoke about poverty - about desperation - He spoke about the masses who need to know hope - need to know that someone - anyone - cares. And, when Jesus spoke about poverty and He linked the need of the masses with our use of God’s resources.

This morning we’re focused on Stewardship - The management of God’s resources according to His will and purpose. Jesus spoke about a very real stewardship - stewardship of God’s resources which tangibly communicates God’s love to those who so desperately need to hear His Gospel. Listen to these words of Jesus as He speaks to His disciples.

Matthew 25:34-43: “Then the King will say to those at His right hand - the believers in Jesus Christ who will be in Heaven - us - ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord when did we see Thee hungry and feed Thee, or thirsty and give Thee drink? And when did we see Thee a stranger and welcome Thee, or naked and clothe Thee? And when did we see Thee sick or in prison and visit Thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Then He will say to those at His left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’”

Jesus is speaking about a time in the future when all of us will be judged for our actions in the present. And while talking about how God views our actions - what we will be judged for - Jesus equates our response to the masses as being equal to our response to Him - our love for Him - our obedience to Him as God’s stewards.

This morning I wanted to share three thoughts with you - because the giving of “time, talent, and treasure” is important - but as we give, there are certain things that God expects of us that we should have in mind - to measure ourselves by - to examine ourselves to see if we really are being faithful stewards of God’s resources. Some of you are going to hear these and say, “Yes, I’m doing that” - and that’s great. Some of us will hear these and be challenged to do more. The first thought is this:

1. WE LIVE IN THE MIDST OF GREAT NEED

A short time ago I was in downtown San Francisco. I go downtown often enough. This time I did something different for me. I just stood there, with my back up against a building, and watched the world go by.

San Francisco is a very different place. Years ago we always had to dress-up if we were going into “the city”. Downtown was a special place - opulent - surreal - the opera , theaters - the financial district - business men in suits. It’s not like that today - I think all of you know what I’m saying. And just standing there, watching everything that was happening, was to vividly see how empty, how hopeless, how impoverished our society is today. I would suspect that each of us, wherever we live, if we open our eyes, we will see needs all around us.

The United Nations estimates that at least 100 million children go to bed hungry every night.

Some years ago the Mennonite Central Committee reported that an estimated 12 million newborn infants die of the effects of malnutrition every year in the developing countries.

In the ‘91-’92 Almanac of the Christian World it was reported that 250,000 children per year go blind for lack of a 10 cent vitamin capsule or a handful of greens each day. 14 million children will die of common illnesses and malnutrition, and 100 million children living on the streets of cities will be drawn into crime, prostitution, and other forms of corruption.

Millions in North America live below the poverty line. But consider that what may be considered poor in America would be considered wealthy in many countries - If you have a pair of shoes, or fresh water, or food, you would be considered wealthy in many places of the world today.

Jesus on numerous occasions spoke about the needs of those around us - those without food, clothing, the impoverished, the imprisoned, those who have no one else. Jesus spoke to His disciples and said, “The poor will always be with you...” (Mark 14:7) This was true in Jesus’ day and is true today.

2. WE HAVE TREMENDOUS RESOURCES

America is rich - and we have been blessed.

In contrast to the famines in Africa and Asia consider overfed North America and Europe. While Americans make up only 6% of the world’s population - we use 1/3 of the world’s non-renewable resources. We are, almost without exception, living in luxury while the world starves. Americans weigh a billion pounds too much - spend annually $15 billion on diet formulas and $22 billion on cosmetics. These expenditures would make the difference between life and death for the people of the world who are dying of starvation.

In Europe and North America there is one doctor for every 572 people. In East Africa - where the suffering is perhaps the worst - there is only one doctor for every 17,480 people.

In contrast to the need, Jesus addresses those whom God has blessed. In the scripture passage we read there is no question that Jesus is speaking to those who could help - who have the resources to help. And, which of us here is impoverished to the point where we can’t do something?

3. WE ARE CALLED TO RESPOND IN LOVE

I have heard some say, “It’s their fault that they are that way - it’s not my fault - they made choices - many of them chose to be that way.” Well, maybe that’s true. To me that only further points out their desperation and need for our help. Jesus had compassion of those He met who were need. If we are to be good stewards of God’s resources - we must also have compassion.

I don’t believe that this means that we should all live in poverty and give away everything we have. There is nothing wrong or immoral in having wealth. Wealth may be a stewardship God entrusts us with. It can either be used selfishly and sinfully, or it can be used for the glory of God. We each have different talents and opportunities. The real question is, are we using what we have for the glory of God, and are we loving our neighbors as we love ourselves? Are we using our gifts for the physical and spiritual betterment of the world around us?

THREE SPECIFIC THINGS WE CAN DO TO RESPOND IN LOVE

1. PARTNER WITH ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS

What are others doing and how can we help? The San Francisco Food Bank is just one possibility. Every Sunday - by putting food in that barrel - we have an opportunity to help someone else. Maybe we should examine our lifestyles to see if money can be saved from personal food bills so that we can share more with others. Some families skip one meal a week and give the money they save to a charity. Maybe instead of chicken at a church luncheon we could have something less expensive and give the balance to a mission. The point is to be aware of local needs and to do something to help.

In the latest edition of the AEUNA Forum - which is on the back table in the Narthex - there is a report about infant morality in Nagorno Karabagh. “According to Dr. Aghabalian, Health Minister of Nagorno Karabagh, the infant mortality rate there has fallen over the past three years, from a rate of almost 100% - due partly to the introduction of infant formula supplements to the diet of infants. After the introduction of Isomil, soy-based formula, the percentage dropped to just over 70% in 1994, and just over 37% in 1995. It is expected that in 1996 the infant mortality rate will be in the single digits.”

In part what makes this possible is the Armenian Children’s Milk Fund which operates under the sponsorship of the Armenian Missionary Association of America. The point is, if there are organizations which are making a difference we should do whatever we can to help them.

2. BE PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Sometimes it’s easy to write a check and then feel as though we have fulfilled God’s expectations of us. Stewardship is more that just writing checks. Stewardship involves personal commitment to meeting needs. Jesus spoke of those who welcomed strangers - who gave food - gave something to drink - clothed the naked - visited the sick - “when I was in prison you came to me.”

There are people within our congregation who give their professional time - without charge - without seeking recognition - to help others. This is a tremendous example for the rest of us to follow. Each of us has an ability that can help someone else. Imagine if families would give to the needs of others - financially or as a family project. Think about the kind of lessons your kids would learn from doing something like this.

3. PRAY

Prayer without works is hypocritical - works without prayer is futile. But prayer and work together will make a great difference in people’s lives.

We know this. But sometimes it helps to be reminded. When I look around at the world I wonder if anyone can really make a difference. I need to be reminded that God hears our prayers and has given each of us the resources to help - at least in part - to meet the needs of others. Together, praying and working for the impoverished will make a tremendous difference and provide the community with an example of Christian love that leads to the most effective kind of Christian witness.

How can we be good stewards? I believe that Jesus is telling us this. If we are to love Him - to live in obedience to Him - then we must use God’s resources to help those who are helpless - to tangibly share God’s love with those who may have no concept that God exists, who live hopeless lives.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father help us who are rich in this present age - who you have blessed with great resources - to not to be conceited, or to fix our hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in you - the living God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Help us to be good stewards - to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, - that others may know your love - know your hope - and come to call on your Son as their Savior. This we ask for your honor - for your glory - we ask in the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen

(From 1 Timothy 6:17-19)