John Claypool used to tell the story of a man who dreamed of crossing over to the afterlife. While there, the fellow was given a tour of Heaven and Hell. Accompanying him was an angelic tour guide who explained, "People remain basically the same after death as they were in life...except for one thing. In the afterlife, all people have stiff elbows."

     Sure enough, the fellow observed that Hell was a stiff-armed, chaotic place. Even though everyone had bread in their hands, everybody was still hungry. Because of their locked elbows, they could not get the food to their mouths and were famished in frustration. All the "Hell-bent" people were pushing and shoving...and even though they "possessed" enough to keep them from starving.

     Heaven, on the other hand, was utterly different. There was joy and harmony, plus a great sense of community. Yes, the people's elbows were also stiff; but they had found a solution. Instead of obsessing on feeding only themselves, they took turns feeding one another. This they could do, and could do so with joy. They nourished one another...even with stiff elbows. It was heavenly.

     At NDBC this time of year, we look at the food in our hands. It was placed there by previous generations and by the grace of God. The food is friendship and faith. The food is life and love. The food is money and resources. Seemingly, it is a human thing to want to hoard; after all, how much is enough? And you never know when a plague of scarcity may hit.

     Yet, we are faithful people. On our best days, even our stiff elbows don't make us anxious. We do what "Heaven-bound" people do...we feed each other. By giving, we receive. By nourishing, we are nourished. As the Israelites discovered in the wilderness: the mana showed-up from God every day. But it had to be shared. If not, it spoiled...and the people's hearts with it.

     Every year we get to practice this. Every year, Liz and I calculate 10%, a tithe of our income (Uncle Sam's tax forms help us with that). That number is the starting point of our pledging calculations for the church budget next year.

     This is how we were reared: thank God for the food in your hands; then, give. To our continued surprise, stiff elbows and generous stewardship go together. In feeding, we are fed.