What We Give to God
Stories
Contents
"What We Give to God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Praise The Lord!" by John Fitzgerald
What We Give to God
by Peter Andrew Smith
Matthew 22:15-22
Vince flipped the burgers on the barbeque. “So how is married life treating you?”
“Pretty good.” Dave looked back at the house. “Although, I suspect Tina is getting the real scoop from Barb as we sit out here in the cold.”
Vince laughed. “Are you following the advice I gave you in the summer?”
“I listen, always keep our marriage in mind, and apologize when I’m wrong.” He rubbed his arms with his hands. “Why do you insist on cooking outside when it’s this cold?”
“Tina made it very clear that she wanted some alone time with her new sister in law so I fired up the grill.” Vince passed a travel mug to Dave. “This will help.”
Dave took a sip. “Hot coffee does hit the spot.”
Vince checked the burgers again and then closed the cover. “So, when can I expect a niece or nephew?”
“You too?” Dave rolled his eyes. “That’s all Mom asks when I call.”
“And?”
“Probably in another year or so we’ll start a family.” Dave paused. “We want some time together first.”
“That’s smart.”
“I thought so but Mom wants grandchildren now.”
“She’ll be just as thrilled a year from now.”
“I suppose.” Dave took another drink from his mug.
“Something on your mind?”
Dave frowned “Why do you say that?”
“Usually you talk my ear off. Today you’re quiet and thoughtful.”
Dave shrugged. “Just something that has me thinking is all.”
Vince grabbed his own travel mug and sat down. “I was told we had to be out here until the burgers are ready so go ahead.”
“You go to church with Tina, right?”
“I do,” Vince said. “I started going with her because I saw how much of a difference it made to her. Now I can’t imagine my week without Sunday morning.”
“So you know about the Bible?”
“Sometimes Pastor Matt and I get into some great discussions and I’ve read some but I don’t claim to be an expert.”
“Well this morning the passage was on Jesus saying to give to the emperor what belongs to the emperor and give to God what belongs to God.” Dave paused. “You remember that passage?”
“Someone was trying to trick Jesus by asking if they should pay taxes. Yeah, I remember the story.”
“Well, Barb has me going to church with her and I find myself agreeing with most of what the Pastor says. That lesson got me thinking about being a disciple of Jesus and what it is that I should be giving to God.” Dave sighed. “My faith is shaky and I don’t think that I’m a very good follower.”
“You’re in good company since I don’t think the twelve were that good at first either.” Vince smiled. “A life of faith is something that you grow into.”
“But how? I know what I owe to my country and try to be a good citizen but how do I give to God what belongs to God?”
Vince rubbed his chin. “How are you a good husband to Barb?”
“As much as I don’t like to admit that you know what you’re talking about the truth is that trying, admitting when I am wrong, and listening have become my watchwords for working to be a good husband.” Dave furrowed his brow. “Are you saying I should do the same thing in my life of faith?”
“Prayer helps us know the mind of God, worship and service allow us to grow in faith, and asking forgiveness keeps us on the right path.” Vince paused to check the burgers. “I think then we begin to understand what belongs to God and what we owe to the one who holds everything in His hand.”
Dave narrowed his eyes for a moment. “We owe God everything, don’t we?”
“I know I do. I believe everything belongs to God and whatever I have is mine because of God’s love and grace.”
“So what God wants comes first?”
Vince nodded. “I think Jesus gave us a teaching that helps keep us focussed in a world that encourages us to be selfish and think of ourselves first. How long do you think your marriage would last if you put yourself before Barb and your life together?”
“I’ve seen friends do that and lose some great futures.”
“Exactly. We remember what God has given and we answer with our thanks and ourselves.”
“You know what?” Dave tilted his head. “I think Jesus gave the Pharisees an answer they couldn’t question.”
“I couldn’t agree more, little brother.” Vince began putting the burgers on a plate to take inside. “I couldn’t agree more.”
* * *
Praise The Lord
by John Fitzgerald
Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13)
In 1854 Chief Seattle wrote these beautiful words: “Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories of the red man. The perfumed flowers are our sisters, the deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rock crests, the juices in the meadows, the body heat of the pony, and man all belong to the same family. The reflection in the clear water of the lake tells of events and memories in the life of my people. The water’s murmur is the voice of my father’s father. The shining water that moves in the streams and rivers is not just water but the blood of our ancestors. The rivers carry our canoes and feed our children. We are part of the earth and it is part of us.”
The message of Chief Seattle is right. All living things on planet earth are connected by God. Sometimes we forget our common bond. Instead we rip and tear at Mother Nature with our machines and technology.
The Psalmist from our scripture reading had a spirituality shared with Chief Seattle. Consider these lively images which jump forth from the writings of Psalm 96: “let the sear resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord (verses 11-13).”
Our Bible reading proclaims that Praise for the Lord is not confined only to creation but also in form of a universal hymn: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples (verses 1-3).”
All nations will one day exalt with praise for the Lord: “Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. (verse 10)”
Nations, songs, and all created beings will give thanks to God, “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise” (verse 4).
*****************************************
StoryShare, October 22, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"What We Give to God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Praise The Lord!" by John Fitzgerald
What We Give to God
by Peter Andrew Smith
Matthew 22:15-22
Vince flipped the burgers on the barbeque. “So how is married life treating you?”
“Pretty good.” Dave looked back at the house. “Although, I suspect Tina is getting the real scoop from Barb as we sit out here in the cold.”
Vince laughed. “Are you following the advice I gave you in the summer?”
“I listen, always keep our marriage in mind, and apologize when I’m wrong.” He rubbed his arms with his hands. “Why do you insist on cooking outside when it’s this cold?”
“Tina made it very clear that she wanted some alone time with her new sister in law so I fired up the grill.” Vince passed a travel mug to Dave. “This will help.”
Dave took a sip. “Hot coffee does hit the spot.”
Vince checked the burgers again and then closed the cover. “So, when can I expect a niece or nephew?”
“You too?” Dave rolled his eyes. “That’s all Mom asks when I call.”
“And?”
“Probably in another year or so we’ll start a family.” Dave paused. “We want some time together first.”
“That’s smart.”
“I thought so but Mom wants grandchildren now.”
“She’ll be just as thrilled a year from now.”
“I suppose.” Dave took another drink from his mug.
“Something on your mind?”
Dave frowned “Why do you say that?”
“Usually you talk my ear off. Today you’re quiet and thoughtful.”
Dave shrugged. “Just something that has me thinking is all.”
Vince grabbed his own travel mug and sat down. “I was told we had to be out here until the burgers are ready so go ahead.”
“You go to church with Tina, right?”
“I do,” Vince said. “I started going with her because I saw how much of a difference it made to her. Now I can’t imagine my week without Sunday morning.”
“So you know about the Bible?”
“Sometimes Pastor Matt and I get into some great discussions and I’ve read some but I don’t claim to be an expert.”
“Well this morning the passage was on Jesus saying to give to the emperor what belongs to the emperor and give to God what belongs to God.” Dave paused. “You remember that passage?”
“Someone was trying to trick Jesus by asking if they should pay taxes. Yeah, I remember the story.”
“Well, Barb has me going to church with her and I find myself agreeing with most of what the Pastor says. That lesson got me thinking about being a disciple of Jesus and what it is that I should be giving to God.” Dave sighed. “My faith is shaky and I don’t think that I’m a very good follower.”
“You’re in good company since I don’t think the twelve were that good at first either.” Vince smiled. “A life of faith is something that you grow into.”
“But how? I know what I owe to my country and try to be a good citizen but how do I give to God what belongs to God?”
Vince rubbed his chin. “How are you a good husband to Barb?”
“As much as I don’t like to admit that you know what you’re talking about the truth is that trying, admitting when I am wrong, and listening have become my watchwords for working to be a good husband.” Dave furrowed his brow. “Are you saying I should do the same thing in my life of faith?”
“Prayer helps us know the mind of God, worship and service allow us to grow in faith, and asking forgiveness keeps us on the right path.” Vince paused to check the burgers. “I think then we begin to understand what belongs to God and what we owe to the one who holds everything in His hand.”
Dave narrowed his eyes for a moment. “We owe God everything, don’t we?”
“I know I do. I believe everything belongs to God and whatever I have is mine because of God’s love and grace.”
“So what God wants comes first?”
Vince nodded. “I think Jesus gave us a teaching that helps keep us focussed in a world that encourages us to be selfish and think of ourselves first. How long do you think your marriage would last if you put yourself before Barb and your life together?”
“I’ve seen friends do that and lose some great futures.”
“Exactly. We remember what God has given and we answer with our thanks and ourselves.”
“You know what?” Dave tilted his head. “I think Jesus gave the Pharisees an answer they couldn’t question.”
“I couldn’t agree more, little brother.” Vince began putting the burgers on a plate to take inside. “I couldn’t agree more.”
* * *
Praise The Lord
by John Fitzgerald
Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13)
In 1854 Chief Seattle wrote these beautiful words: “Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories of the red man. The perfumed flowers are our sisters, the deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rock crests, the juices in the meadows, the body heat of the pony, and man all belong to the same family. The reflection in the clear water of the lake tells of events and memories in the life of my people. The water’s murmur is the voice of my father’s father. The shining water that moves in the streams and rivers is not just water but the blood of our ancestors. The rivers carry our canoes and feed our children. We are part of the earth and it is part of us.”
The message of Chief Seattle is right. All living things on planet earth are connected by God. Sometimes we forget our common bond. Instead we rip and tear at Mother Nature with our machines and technology.
The Psalmist from our scripture reading had a spirituality shared with Chief Seattle. Consider these lively images which jump forth from the writings of Psalm 96: “let the sear resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord (verses 11-13).”
Our Bible reading proclaims that Praise for the Lord is not confined only to creation but also in form of a universal hymn: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples (verses 1-3).”
All nations will one day exalt with praise for the Lord: “Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. (verse 10)”
Nations, songs, and all created beings will give thanks to God, “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise” (verse 4).
*****************************************
StoryShare, October 22, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
