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“Keeping Up Appearances” Sherry Lohman - Nov. 8, 2009 Mark 12:38-44 Has anyone here ever watched the British sitcom, “Keeping Up Appearances?” I’m going to show you just a short clip, so you get the idea. If you’re not familiar with this show, let me just tell you, briefly, that it’s based on the character of Hyacinth Bouqet (Bucket!), who continually looks for opportunities to climb the social ladder. Hyacinth has a passion for flawless entertaining, as well as maintaining the integrity of her woodblock floor, wallpaper, and especially, her status in the community. Her aim in life is to impress neighbors, friends, and important people, going to great lengths to avoid the reality of her less favorable family. You won’t meet them in today’s episode, except for her hen-pecked husband, Richard. But you’ll get the idea. (Show clip of “Keeping Up Appearances”) Keeping up appearances is important to Hyacinth, and as you saw, her excessive snobbery makes life difficult for those around her. Of course, none of us would deny that appearances aren’t important. When we interview for a new job, we make sure we are well groomed and dressed appropriately. Likewise, when we know our children are having their school pictures taken, we remind them to comb their hair and smile.// If we are trying to sell our home, we make sure it’s clean, in good repair, and up to date. Appearances do matter, to a certain extent. In this morning’s scripture, we hear Jesus, warning about the scribes, who, like Hyacinth, live to impress. They assume the elevated places in the community, in their pretenses, even assuming the best seats in the house.// I’m curious….what are the best seats in the house?/ (In the church, I think it’s the back row!) At a banquet, it’s the table of honor; the table that’s served, first. At the theatre, it’s front row seats. I don’t think God really cares about where you sit. It’s where your heart’s resting that God cares about; if it harbors pride, or humility. We gather that in Jesus’ warning; “Watch out for folks who, outwardly, act like saints, while in their hearts, take advantage of others.” And then, very simply, Jesus sits down and begins watching the crowd come in, giving to the treasury./ The treasury was actually donation chests. Thirteen of these were in the temple court, each one labeled telling the purpose for which the money would be used. There were folks who had much, who gave much. But the one the story revolves around, is the poor widow, who put in two coins; not worth more than a penny. It’s what she has; all she has to give. This is what Jesus sees---a front row seat into her heart. This woman does not give out of her abundance, as the wealthy have. She gives from the joy of her heart. Her money (our money), is a sign of our intent to share life with those in need. Today we are celebrating Stewardship Sunday, as Rodger informed you, earlier. Sometimes, people observe this Sunday as a day to consider their church finances, or the contributions they make toward the church. We are stewards of this church. What does that mean? Surely, we must maintain the building and grounds. For the past year and a half, we have been in the process of an intentional journey of discovery, which, by the way, should continue throughout the life of this church. As we grow as a family, we experience, anew, God’s blessings. I would be remiss if I said I didn’t care what you put in the offering basket. I wouldn’t have said that a year ago, or even three years ago. God is teaching me, little by little about stewardship, and how we can use our money more faithfully to participate in what God is doing. The reality is, we need money….we will always need money! That’s the world we live in./ A few weeks ago, when I had my yearly interview with our DS (Rev. Crow), I talked to him about our church’s finances. I told him how we have struggled to make ends meet, and I asked his advice. He reminded me that many churches struggle with finances---we are no exception. But it feels like it, sometimes, doesn’t it?/ The other thing Rev. Crow told me, was that, as Christians, we live on the edge. That’s a part of our faith. That means, we trust God(period)! You know, I think, sometimes, we’re not so much sinful as we are, forgetful! We forget to trust! I forget to trust. Trust God! I think that’s going to be my new prayer! So appearances do matter, even in the church! It’s OK that we are struggling, so long as we continue following God’s lead. In fact, we should appear humble, outwardly, to others as a clear sign of what we hold in our hearts. This is who we are; this is what we do. Our mission, not the money, under God’s guidance will direct us. Our outward appearance lies in our mission and where our hearts beat boldly. Hope UMC is an amazing church, and I am grateful to be a part of it. We have joyfully given out of our hearts; not out of our abundance, to a number of community missions. There is a pervasive humbleness in this church. God continues to work in this church. Last night, at the Show of Shows, Bill Reagan, Director of the ARC, said to the crowd of people, as he said to me earlier, that he feels like this church is family. He felt absorbed in the comfort of that. That’s who we are---that’s one of the ways we share. That’s what God sees. It is sharing what we have, even in our poverty, guided by our gratitude for what we have already received. This morning, each of you were given $5.00. It came from our church’s treasury. What you do with it is up to you. (?Consider the many ways this could be used for good, as good stewards of the church, our neighbors near and far, our good earth): What good could be done with this $5.00? Where do you see need? How could you help someone, using this $5.00? What will you use it for? Who will you use it for?) Gracious God, guide our hands and feet. Open our eyes and ears, that we might listen, and serve you, in serving our neighbor. May we be your good and loyal servants in all that you have given us. Amen. |