Welcome to the ninth of our Faith Lutheran Daily Devotions for this Stewardship season!
“The Joy of Generosity: The Gift of Sharing the Good News” by Joyce Lienke
Matthew 10: 40-42
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.
We are not all sent to be wandering missionaries, depending on others for shelter and sustenance, but that doesn’t mean we are off the hook. All the baptized are sent into the world to tell the good news of Jesus Christ. All are sent to bear Christ to others with humility and vulnerability, being willing to risk rejection.
Do you talk to people about our church? Do you tell them we are a welcoming church, that we are all inclusive? Faith was built to be here in our community for everyone who wants to come and worship and be part of the ELCA community.
Matthew 10 says, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” I think an example of this is when First Lutheran in Beaver Dam helped Faith get started. It was their mission to give of themselves, and it should be our mission to help someone else. Giving to Missions is so important. And Jesus says “Truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
Dear God,
Please help us to be givers from our heart. Help us to be people who will take the risk and talk to others about our church. Teach us not to judge someone who is different than we are; they deserve to learn about you and love you. We will be the messengers for you. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.