One thing I love about Zion is that every week I find out that someone in the congregation is doing something for the good of another that I was completely unaware of. I guess that is part of being the new pastor. It takes a long time to be immersed in the ministry of a congregation. That burst of joy of seeing God’s people serve one another usually comes at a moment when I need it the most. Thanks be to God for that! Thanks be to God for you! There are so many faithful servants within this congregation. In last month’s newsletter, Vicar Beltz named many of the things we are aware of that people do here for the glory of God. We need to keep doing that! We need to do a better job of letting people know what wonderful things are being done by people in our Zion family. It’s beautiful when we and others, especially those who don’t know Christ, see how different Christians are, when they see Christ in us!

We are a family. We really look like it at times, good and bad. We come together to kneel at the Lord’s altar, we sing His praises, we gather around His Word, we pray. Awesome! Sometimes, however, we fight. We disagree. We say things about fellow members of this family that we shouldn’t. That happens in families. God says that it shouldn’t happen especially in this family, His family, because you and I have been made different. We’ve been baptized into Christ Jesus. And if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Unfortunately, we still battle the sinful nature, which means that sometimes Christ is hidden and the Old Adam shows himself boldly. That means that there will be strife at times in this family.

We are in the midst of quite a family squabble. We have decisions to make regarding a dearly loved ministry, the ministry of Zion. As I look at divisions over the direction of this ministry, where this ministry is going, how funds should be allocated, I recognize that the squabble is grounded in a love for this ministry that has touched and touches lives in so many ways. Part of this ministry is a school that has most definitely touched lives. One of our members shared with me just the other day how she came to know the Lord Jesus and was abundantly blessed after she sent her daughter here to school years ago. Praise God! Others tell me stories of former pastors and vicars that touched their lives in different ways. Praise God! Countless more stories abound to be sure. These things are reminders to us that all facets of our ministry are valuable and worth supporting. We should love the whole ministry and the good that God can do through it. And it should grow!

So what’s the problem? The problem is us! The problem is this family of believers. Look in the mirror. We say we value Zion and its ministry. Sometimes we cry that out so loud that our throats are sore. We say that it’s for our children, which means that we should give in abundance so that our children have the Gospel. But when it comes time to supporting this ministry with our offerings, we falter tremendously. The ways of the world are so enticing. The hard truth of it is that this beloved ministry cannot continue the way it has without financial support from all. Pastors and vicars and teachers cost. They cost money because “the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). They cost even more because state laws require this and that on top of it. And we support our workers not only because God says to do it, but because we care for one another in Christ! That’s what families do. Of course, there are plenty of other ministry expenses to factor in as well. I would suggest that we begin to use the words, “Ministry investments.”

Regardless of what we call it, you can read this and say, “The new pastor is all about money.” If that’s what you walk away from after reading this and hearing some of my recent sermons and talks, then I hope you’ll listen some more, and commend this to the Lord in prayer. I’m not all about the money. I’m about caring for you. That’s what a shepherd does. I see the hurt that that comes from Zion acting like a dysfunctional family. Those who don’t respond in faith by investing in this ministry end up crying the loudest when something doesn’t go their way. Those within Zion’s family who are not serving in leadership roles and who do not come to voters meetings maybe aren’t even aware of the staggering costs involved in investing in this ministry, investing in our children, investing in the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One of the biggest ministry investments at Zion subsidizing the cost of a Christian education for our children. Our principal and school board supplied me with a figure of $3200 in actual education cost per child per year. Others say that that number could be even somewhat higher. This isn’t unique to Zion. You see the cutbacks in the public sector because of such costs. Imagine what kind of an investment this translates into when you put it into the context of our policies and procedures. When a member family of Zion pays $1500 of tuition for their child, there’s near another $2000 to complete that investment. You can certainly add. Consider the increase of ministry investment that needs to be made for a family of two, three, or more children, potentially $10,000. Now that number is extreme, but very possible.

I don’t say this to pick on the school. I’ll witness to the day I die that the ministry of a Lutheran school is one of God’s greatest gifts. I am a product of them and I love seeing my own children in them and the difference being surrounded with Christ’s love makes in their lives! I say these things to hold before you the reality of ministry in the 21st century. Our children are worth investing everything. Doing all that we can to fill them with God’s love in Christ is worth all that we have and more. It is firstruits giving that serves to complete our ministry investments. That is essential to carrying out all aspects of the ministry that we love so dearly.

Is firstfruits giving happening as it should at Zion? I’ve discussed this with a number of you since I’ve been here. Supporting the Lord’s work is what Christians do, but it’s one of our greatest failures. You can call it tithing, ten percent of a person’s income. Yes, that’s Old Testament terminology, but it’s wise. And it’s certainly not abolished in the New Testament. If we went the New Testament route, we’d give everything we have. That’s something that the New Testament teaches. Read Luke 21 or Acts 2, especially the last part of the chapter. Perhaps proportionate or firstfruits giving is the best terminology we should use and stay away from a number. Giving shouldn’t be done under compulsion, but out of love. That’s why I say to everyone, “See the need and the blessing the Lord works through our gifts!”

I have learned through experience the value and blessing of firstfruits giving. I was selfish. I still am in many ways. I robbed the Lord by not giving Him back the firstfruits of His blessings. I robbed Him with the best of intentions, thinking I or my family needed His money more than He did. I robbed Him and I struggled to make ends meet, even with two incomes. Finally, my pastor convicted me of my sin, and rightly so. God’s rebuke was yet another gift. Did change hurt? Oh yes, at first. But thanks be to God for that pastor who set me straight to put the Lord at the top of my budget, ten percent to the Lord minimum. The Lord, through my pastor (and most certainly the Holy Spirit!) opened for me and my family the floodgates of God’s blessings. We’re now a one income family, but more blessed than ever before! I’ve had some times since then that I’ve struggled still with a lack of trust, but the Lord uses especially my sufferings to wake me up, move me to repentance and faith, always pointing me to the cross where Jesus suffered for me. Rich and abundant blessings most certainly abound there!

Jesus suffered for you, Zion. He died for you, Zion. He rose for you, Zion. Unless I’m reading the Bible incorrectly, that’s why we’re all here. He’s gathered us together in this family to live in His grace and to live out His grace. If anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. You are a new creation, Zion! And that’s how I know that God can work great things in and through you. He’s done it. So live it, Zion! Gather around the gifts of Christ in Word and Sacrament weekly. Gather around the family of believers into which God has so graciously brought you. Allow the Holy Spirit to breathe this new life into your daily habits in the home with your loved ones. Put aside the family squabbles. Put aside the sin that binds you. Put on Christ, your Savior! Look at Zion and see what you love. See who you love. And see Who loves you, even unto death.