Once again it is time to discern our financial contributions to God's work through MCC Austin in the new year by asking ourselves one question: "What is my faithful response to God's faithfulness in my life?" We aren't discussing bills or expectations or needs, only this: How do we respond to this generous God who loves us wildly and whom we say we love?

Let me share with you a simple little story that happened here at the church today. Once again we found ourselves filling out a stack of papers for the bank as we pursue a refinance/loan package. One of the questions read "If faced with a shortage of income, what expenses would you eliminate first?" That was difficult, as you know, because we operate on an extremely frugal budget. Still, we came up with several. But you know which two were absolutely not candidates for cuts? Number one, our building payments. (We were filling out a loan application, remember.) And number two, our tithe to MCC Churches.

Many of you were here the very Sunday in 2006 when we pledged that from that day forward, our stewardship giving was the first thing we would budget for and prioritize. It was the right and faithful decision. Even so, I guarantee you the thought occasionally crosses our minds: "Oh, what we couldn't do with another $3,000-5,000 a month around here!" It is a tempting thought. Why, one year's worth of tithes would pay for two more classrooms in our new building.

But no. Our tithe to MCC Churches is our faithful response to God's faithfulness to the congregation of MCC Austin. Our tithe to MCC Churches is the evidence that your MCC Austin leaders take our role as stewards of God's goodness seriously.

Yes, we do a whole lot for God's people right here in Austin. But by our financial contributions to MCC Churches, we do a whole lot for God's people everywhere. Do you realize that when Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson traveled to help with Haitian relief efforts, our gifts helped send her? That two delegates were able to attend General Conference in Mexico thanks in part to our gifts? That people's lives are being saved and their souls lifted in Russia and Pakistan and...California and Kansas and San Antonio and Topeka and we are part of that?

When you sit down by yourself or with your family to discern your financial contributions to God's work through MCC Austin next year, I encourage you to take a moment to consider the model that MCC Austin is providing. Take a moment to consider the way your financial gifts will be added to many others and will help accomplish things that you couldn't support on your own. I challenge you to create a family budget with "Tithes and Offerings" nearer the top. I even challenge you to go one step further and commit to electronic giving so that you are not tempted to eliminate your tithe first when "faced with a shortage of income."

I'll end by sharing a personal comment about giving. I am blessed with many great loves. Rarely do any of these great loves need to ask me for what they need. They don't have to because I'm paying attention. I'm looking for opportunities and excuses to give to them. In fact, I think the challenge I most often face is in wanting to give more than some are able to accept. I bet many of you have experienced that...your adult children insist on "paying you back"; your parents, who took care of you most of your life, can't bring themselves to accept your financial help; a good friend feels like she "can't keep up."

Finally, beautifully, subtly, and surprisingly God has stepped out of the confessions, over the creeds, and through the doctrines to become truly one of my great loves. Suddenly, I am the one who can never give enough.

May God Bless You and Keep You