REFLECTION: Toward A Theology of Abundance Rev. Elaine Beth Peresluha
It feels way too early in our relationship for to be talking g about…. M-m-m-money! That is a very intimate conversation- and you hardly know me! I gave my best shot at inspiring the Board of Trustees to change the fiscal year just so I did not have to do this- now- talk to you about… money…. You know and I know that ministries can be made- or broken with this conversation-
Actually- I am pretty sure that you would be much more comfortable with me taking my clothes off up here then you are with me talking about money!
So this better be good.
Here is the plan:
Everyone is invited to eat and be merry after the service this morning. The Board of Trustees has created an easy, energy efficient and confidential way for you to make a pledge- consider making a monthly pledge3 of $75 dollars or more reflecting on that monthly amount for each member that will achieve a balanced budget.
Once you make your pledges, the board has the resources and commitment they need to create a budget which they will present to members for ratification at the annual meeting in November.
So let’s start with the basics- numbers.
I am going to give you some numbers first- to help oil the machinery and get you thinking about money.
The annual budget for everything, staff compensation, district fair share- UUA fair share, utilities, programs, maintenance- the whole shebang that you call
That budget is fulfilled by money from the endowment
Rentals, and pledges:
There are 388 members recorded at South church,
If you divide the annual operating budget by 12 months, the monthly expenditure at
Of that the endowment supplies $1,563.80
Rentals and other income supply $2500.00 a month
That leaves $28,602.70 to be provided by members.
That is an average of $73.72 per member per month.
There, that wasn’t so hard was it?
Now we all know that average numbers must be reflect the reality that some members are able to give more, some must give less. We are a relational organization that knows that those with more resources give more to compensate for those who are unable to give as much. That feels good- it feels fair and we have a sense of relational responsibility when we wrap our generosity around one another- that is a theology of abundance.
This is a democratic institution, Support the leaders hwo have yoru best interest to balanc eiwht hier institutional respinsiblities. They will work with what you give them. They have no other agenda than to fulfill the charge you have given them. Help them to be thoughtful stewards of our
Stewardship is the deep-rooted foundation of a generous, spiritual life. It fuels our dreams and keeps the fire burning. Stewardship involves every member and friend of
Sometimes people loose sight of that theology and they put on their scarcity hats-
Scarcity hats inspire us to be on the outlook for that person who can give but doesn’t- that person who drives an expensive czar- or has a big house and doesn’t seem to be giving their fair share around her-
Posh- let it go- why give any valuable energy or attention to what you imagine- no one knows anything about anyone but them selves---- and remember that mirror thing- What you say or observe about others is really telling the world more about your insides than anything else- so- do you really want to start judging others for their lack of generosity- or badgering them into fearful giving? NO- that would just tell us how scared you are- and how difficult generosity is for you!
I tithe. Tithing is the most ancient guideline for socially responsible giving. For thousand of years people have put their faith in this biblical prescription for caring for the world and her people. The methods for establishing a tithe differ-
I look at my total income. After paying all my insurances, retirement, social security and income taxes, I pledge 10% of what is left to support organizations and causes I believe in. One of those organizations is always the church I am a member of or the UUA. I divvy the 10% differently each year depending on political issues, environment issues etc- because like this year, the marriage equality issue in
Years ago, Shakti Gawain introduced us to "Creative Visualization. The idea that what we think and visualize matters- what we believe, will be what we create in our lives. Human beings have always known this- somewhere in their hearts.
Knock, and the door will be opened, Seek and you will find
Way will open
It is the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.
What we believe matters because human beings move in the direction of their images of the future. The more positive the image of the future the more positive the actions chosen will be. Our beliefs are a part of our continuous process learning and unlearning
When you have done pretending
to need what you do not need,
being angry both that you do not need
and having learned to pretend;
When you have done away with the pedestals
set up on false premises,
ceased hacking at the humanly imperfect idols
stranded upon them;
When you have strengthened your own fiber
with tolerance and flexibility,
have wept and accepted,
stormed and accepted,
defied and accepted,
When you stand pure and sleek,
powerful as a proud horse
soaked by storms
beneath a rainbow sky......
We can choose to stand pure, sleek powerful as proud horses beneath rainbow skies-choose to place our attention on scarcity or abundance- and believe in either one
We each hold the ability, the will to change our way of being and our way of approaching the reality of our world... to a spirituality of abundance- to a theology of trust. We have the ability to focus our attention- intentionally; on the magic that exists in each breath that we take... each crescent moon that rises, each glorious moment of love we experience.... and the abundance of love’s first light.
This church is poised- ready to influence the direction of the lives within it and the community around it. You have the resources and the values to turn hatred and violence into love and support. You have the hearts and the resources to aid those in crisis and to build hope out of desperation.
As you consider how much money you will pledge to this church, remember your faith in abundance. Believe in your ability to do great things. Believe in the priceless value of a thriving progressive, inclusive religious presence in this community. Today and always, BELIEVE!
Happiness and inner peace know nothing of fear or scarcity. Happiness and inner peace depend on our relationship to beauty, to gratitude, to love and to service for something greater than the self.
Begin to imagine and appreciate what is possible! Move from the place in your heart that is inspired by your experiences of connection, service, and a greater good. The vision is all about us. Grow your relationship to beauty, to gratitude, to love and to service for something greater than the self. Then assure the fulfillment of that vision with the abundant sharing of your gifts.
Together we can assure a theology of abundance- a faith community
Where the light of abundance replaces the shadow of lack.
Where the song of the Universe sounds within you.
Where the wonder of Life replaces preoccupation with problems.
Where self-worth replaces the need to please others.
Where you really believe you deserve the best.
Where we lovingly accept ourselves as we are now,
Where the acceptance of others, exactly as they are, becomes natural.
Where it becomes unnecessary to judge or blame anyone.
Where the past and the future no longer rule our life.
Where we can let go of our need to be right.
Where it is easy to focus on the good in yourself and in others.
Where we believe that good can and will replace the darkness of evil.
Where we are inspired to seek wisdom from all sources.
Where serenity becomes our normal way of living.
Where we all realize that we are each all that is.
BENEDICTION
The beginning of faith is not a feeling for the mystery of living or sense of awe, wonder, and amazement.
The root of faith is the question what to do with the feeling for the mystery of living, what to do with awe, wonder and amazement.
Faith begins with a consciousness that something is asked of us. It is in that tense, eternal asking in which the soul is caught and in which our answer is elicited.
-Abraham Joshua Heschel