For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Romans 12: 4-8
Twenty years or so ago when I left my home in Kankakee, IL for Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO I had very little savings and my family was still trying to recover from the recession of the 1980's. I majored in Business Administration with a Computer Science emphasis. I wanted some of what Bill Gates and Steve Jobs had so that I could help others out of poverty. It was not long before I was sick with "accountingitis" and ready to change the direction of my life, well actually just get my wheels back on the track that I had been on since my early teens.
As a teenager I spent more hours with folks from Central Christian Church than with my High School peers. I participated in about every aspect of the church and many adults including Elsie would occassionally suggest that I should serve the Lord as a minister of Christ's church. I was always flattered by the suggestions and I was always affirmed in my talents and gifts for ministry. So, during my first year of college, I changed my major to Religion and Philosophy and began the journey toward accepting my call to ministry. Elsie was overjoyed and began faithfully sending me cards about every month or two encouraging me along the journey.
Elsie's cards always included some update about my home church, a worship bulletin from a previous Sunday and a check or cash. I so appreciated the words of encouragement and the updates and at times Teri and I survived on the $25 or so that accompanied them. I was fortunate after finishing my degrees to be able to share my gratitude with Elsie. Time and time again, Elsie's card was in our mailbox at the best possible moment - when we were flat broke and in need of gas for the car or groceries or a prescription. Student ministry is not often a lucrative venture and we like many young couples struggled to make ends meet. Elsie saved us from piling on debt upon debt, time after time. I never added the Elsie's Cards line item to our budget as projected income, but I could have because her generosity and kindness was as dependable as direct deposit is today.
Elsie's generosity and support of young ministry students should serve as an example of the genuine love that Paul admonished the Roman Christians and us to have for one another as members of the body of Christ. Generosity was certainly one of Elsie's gifts for ministry as she served and loved her Lord while buidling up the body of Christ through her words of encouragement and her contributions. No strings attached, no demands to repay, Elsie gave out of her love for her church and for her Lord. Her simple gifts of encouragement now reach beyond the cards and money everytime I am able to minister in word and in deed to those who need the hope of abundant life granted to each and to all through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Elsie's spirit of generosity challenges each of us to be givers as well. Imagine the good you could do with the simple gifts you are able to give. Could you give hope to one who is struggling to find it? Could you ease the stress of one facing tough times? Could you encourage someone to keep their faith and serve the Lord? Elsie did all of that for Teri and me. And, she is one of our saints, who now from her labors rests in the loving and peaceful realm of our Creator who has certainly greeted her saying, "well done, good and faithful servant."
beautiful saint
ReplyDeletebeautiful love