Today is dedication Sunday. We have been talking about biblical stewardship through the theme of Fearless Generosity. I loved this definition of biblical stewardship- knowing that every single atom in the universe belongs to God and that we are just caretakers. Stewardship has everything to do with how we witness the good news of Jesus to everyone. On our journey through fearless generosity, we have heard a little about fearless living-where we briefly discussed that, like God, we must be courageous in life and in all things. Where I challenged you to step outside of your comfort zones and to do something you haven?t done before. Then there was fearless service, where you were encouraged to find a new way to serve and live out your faith in more hands on ways in our church and community. Last week, I shared about fearless sowing and how the harvest return made all the risks worthwhile for the farmers. And as I thought more about sowing this past week, I decided to do a little writing experiment. I wrote down everyone?s names in the congregation. Then I wrote down how everyone ?sows? around here?meaning how everyone gives of their time and talents. Out of our members who are hear year round, 72% of you are sowing in the church and our community on a regular basis. I had this huge moment of pride, even though it doesn?t have to do with who I am, but who YOU are?I said to my self, I am so incredibly thankful to be the pastor to this group who gives of their time so generously.

And today, we move into fearless giving. It?s the money lesson. Everyone?s favorite chat when it comes to stewardship. Many of us have heard the phrase ?time, talents, and tithe,? yet we don?t like to talk as much about the tithe aspect. So we will look at two different stories to talk about giving. But first, a little information.

Did you know that church leaders, including ours, argue over the issue of tithing? Is it an Old Testament law that no longer applies to the New Testament church? What is a New Testament church? Did Jesus affirm a tithe? Is it still the standard for all Christians?? Many say yes, and others say no.

Standing Tall, Falling Hard is the theme from the Story today. In this chapter we met Samuel. Samuel was a priest and appointed the first king for the people, King Saul. Although there are many things we could talk about connected to this passage, I am only going to focus on the beginning of this chapter before Samuel was born. Because before Samuel, there was Hannah. Hannah was a woman who deeply loved the Lord, but her womb was barren. Although her husband loved her deeply, it wasn?t enough. She wanted a child more than anything. So when they had finished worship one night, Hannah said the following, making a vow to the Lord. ?Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant?s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.?

As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, ?How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.???Not so, my lord,? Hannah replied, ?I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.? Eli answered, ?Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.? She said, ?May your servant find favor in your eyes.? Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ?Because I asked the Lord for him.?

Hannah made a vow to the Lord, Eli prayed her prayer and vow would be answered, she worshiped the Lord, and became pregnant. She nursed her son and then weaned him. At that time, she made her offering.

After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, ?Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.? And he worshiped the Lord there.? Hannah sang this beautiful song and prayer before Eli and for the Lord.? Then she left Samuel with Eli so he could become a priest and study under Eli.

Then we continue our lessons in Luke 21:1-4 where we meet another woman, a widow. Listen to this story: As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.?He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ?Truly I tell you,? he said, ?this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.?

From these two stories, we have two very different women, yet both did the unthinkable. They gave all they had. Hannah knew the importance of sacrifice and giving back to the Lord. She understood what it meant to be blessed even when things seemed hopeless. But Hannah and the poor widow knew nothing about the debate on whether or not a tithe is still something that is valid. For the poor widow, she gave all she had-even all she had to live on. God blessed Hannah and Samuel, and Jesus affirmed the widow?s action as the standard.

Both of these stories can make us uncomfortable. Hannah gave her very young child to be raised by a very old priest. And no one wants to hear that a widow who gave all she had was held higher than those who only gave out of their wealth. This is a story we don?t like because there are many times it makes us feel guilt and shame. Trust me, I feel it too. We live in a society that says we should be clenching onto everything we have, stockpiling and accumulating everything. We are told, again and again, that things could run out and we must be prepared. We need to prepare for ourselves, and maybe for our children, but others can fend for themselves! We can all get caught in this place.

How does that line up with the stories of the Gospel? With the teachings of Jesus? Society?s expectations and being a disciple of Jesus don?t always line up.

The stories of Hannah and the widow are really about three things. And these three things apply to whether or not the Story of God, of Jesus, is our story?or not.

The story of our God, is a story of trust. Could either of those women done what they did if they didn?t fully trust God?
The story of God, is a story of faith. Hannah had such a strong faith and belief in God, that she dedicated her first son to the teachings of the priesthood. The widow in giving all she had to live on, had faith that God would provide. Do we live our lives knowing that God will provide? Do we have that kind of faith?
The story of God is a story of love. Here is a fact. Acting without fear and being generous without holding back are really impossible to do without love. In these stories, we are invited to live in new ways that are contrary to what society tells us.

And all three of these things are connected to a deeper relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God?s story calls us to trust God and to be freed in that trust. And God works through us even greater when we trust fully.

As I think about tithing, Hannah, the poor widow, and God?s desires for us, I sometimes think God might not care as much about our 10% as much as God cares about the 90%. That is, God cares about how we use ALL of our resources. As we have walked through the beginning of the Bible, I think we have learned that God?s story is not a story of scarcity, but one of abundance. After Hannah dedicated Samuel to the temple, she had more children. Out of her barrenness and because of her faith and trust in God, she was able to continue to give life. Even the widow had faith that, upon seeing her value through the eyes of love, those eyes would invite her into life abundant, sharing of what they had so she might have enough for her needs as well.

As I wrap up this message, I want you to remember a few things. Trust, faith, and love are at the center of being stewards and being fearless generous. Jesus taught that real giving must come from the heart. A gift is given with a grudge or for display loses its value. But a gift given out of love, with a spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is precious. The amount of size of the gift doesn?t matter as much as the cost to the giver. The poor widow could have kept one of her coins, but instead she recklessly gave away all she hd. Jesus praised someone who gave barely a penny?how insignificant a sum?because it was everything she had, her whole living.? What we have to offer may look very small and not worth much, but if we put all we have at the Lord?s disposal, no matter how insignificant it may seem, then God can do with it and with us what is beyond our reckoning. Do you give out of love and gratitude for what God has already given to you?