• Every Penny Counts, Mark 12:38-44      (see below)
  by Rev. Randy L Quinn 
   

• No More Guilt Trips, Hebrews 9:24-28, by Rev. Frank Schaefer   
   

• A Certain Widow, Mark 12:38-44, by Dr. David Rogne
   

• Nothing Left To Give?, Mark 12:38-44, by F. Schaefer
   

• Facing Our Fiscal & Christian Responsibilities, Mark 12: 13-17, by Rev. Elaine Wing
   

• God Provides, Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17, by Thomas Hall
   

• The Savvy Investor, Mark 12:38-44, by Lisa in So. IL
   

• What Can We Bring to the Table? John 6:4-14, Topic: Stewardship, by Don Bower

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Every Penny Counts
a sermon based on Mark 12:38-44
by Rev. Randy L Quinn

Every November I am reminded of the one time I ran for public office. You probably remember seeing my name in the newspapers that year, don’t you? I ran for a Water District Commissioner position; I ran un-opposed and lost – to a write-in candidate who received 100% of the vote.

We were just forming the North Whidbey Water District, and Washington State law requires there to be at least three Commissioners in every water district. The Commissioners must live within the District and can only be voted on by residents of the District.

At the time, our family’s home was the only residence in the North Whidbey Water District – there were other property owners and soon there were additional residences, but at the time, we were the only people who resided there. Since it was a new District, we had three open positions and four eligible voters.

One was a six year term, one was a four year term, and one was a two year term; in succeeding elections, they would all be six year terms. Dad was running un-opposed for the six-year term; I was running for four years; my brother Kelly was running for two. But after the ballots were printed, we realized that I would be graduating from college before the end of my four-year term. So we all agreed to write Kelly’s name on my position and my name on his.

So, in the same election that I lost, I beat an un-opposed candidate as a write-in candidate myself.

We didn’t ask for a recount. We knew all the voters and how they voted.

Still, I am a little surprised no one remembers it. J

Our text today reminds me of a part of the election process that not many people consider – the Federal Elections Commission disclosure statements. All candidates for public office fill out a form stating their assets and income.

The form has its history in the stories of abuse by previously elected officials. It is an attempt to make public a person’s financial status so that potential conflicts of interest can be identified.

And on occasion there been stories in the press that come from those “public” disclosures of candidates. Of course the question I want to ask is if their publicly professed faith shows up in their charitable giving. But I only remember one time in recent history when the press specifically reported about a candidate’s charitable giving. That candidate gave a tenth of his income to charity. His name was Joseph Lieberman.

I’m not sure that should be the only measuring rod we use for political candidates, but it does make me wonder how many of us would pass the test of public scrutiny.

Before I became a pastor, I attended a church that posted a list every month of the people and the amounts of money each had given. (As a pastor, I’ve never suggested doing that – and have personally tried not to know how much is given by individuals or families in the church.) It made me feel a little uncomfortable knowing that what I gave was a matter of public record – even though I knew I was giving what I felt was an appropriate amount for me.

I think that kind of public knowledge of giving must have been a part of the culture of Jesus’ day, though. The offering boxes were hung along the walls of the temple and people would deposit their offering in full view of the crowds.

While it was possible to make offerings at a time when fewer people would notice, it was not possible to write a check and there was no paper money. Everyone could hear how many coins dropped into the boxes, and with a little practice, I’m sure people learned to distinguish between the “mite” and the “denarius”.

I also imagine there were some who waited until the major festivals to make their offerings – that way more people would witness their ‘faithful’ giving – even if some people gave smaller amounts more often, providing a cumulative amount that was even larger.

I remember one woman in a church who wanted me to know how generous she was as she provided a sizeable check to the church. What I didn’t tell her was that I had personally given more than that over the course of the year. Her check didn’t impress me the way she had intended it to impress me. [continue]