DE Ponderings
by Kevin Kessler, District Executive
When [the wise men from the East] saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. --Matthew 2:10-11 (NRSV)
I experienced an epiphany as I read once again the story about the wise men from the East visiting the Christ child. It revolves around the gifts they brought—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each of these items carried substantial value. It stands to reason, then, that the ones who carried the gifts were likely very wealthy. Reflecting on the gifts and the givers in terms of their value and net worth, it occurred to me that all of this is a bit odd. Why would a baby be the recipient of such significant material items? Because we know the rest of the story, what this baby became, why would gifts of this magnitude be given to the one who, in adulthood, taught and lived simplicity? Doesn’t it seem contradictory?
I suppose it does. However, if this is our focus, then we are in danger of missing the point. The point is not about how much material value can be given to someone but rather on what is the intrinsic value of the one receiving the gift. This changes the emphasis of giving. Instead of being concerned with how much to give it becomes important to think about why the gift is given. Giving, then, becomes a response to the intrinsic value of the recipient.
What the wise men gave to the Christ child was less important than the reason for giving. They understood the intrinsic value of the baby and responded accordingly, that is, with their very best.
How much different could our giving be if we recognized the value of that to which we give? What if instead of thinking about the amounts we give to the District, or to New Church Development, or to Mission and Mortar, or to Disaster Response, we considered the intrinsic value of each of these important ministry opportunities? What if we started thinking about the importance of the district’s ministry to help congregations and credentialing ministers and building relationships? What if we started thinking about the importance of New Church Development reaching people for Christ and making disciples? What if we started thinking about the real value of Mission and Mortar in opening up opportunities for congregations to be more welcoming with attractive edifices and updated ministries? What if we started thinking about the real value of Disaster Response not in terms of just rebuilding homes but rebuilding lives? Would we respond differently or more generously? Would we willingly and freely give the very best of our time, talents, and treasure to these worthy ministries?
What if we thought about these ministries as the body of Christ in mission on earth to restore justice, bring peace, provide good stewardship, and offer hope? With a new year upon us, let’s invite one another to begin thinking anew about the intrinsic value of all that can receive gifts in this district. Then, let’s challenge each other to respond according.
I wonder what gift Jesus would have received if only one wise man would have visited? Because there was more than one, I suspect they spurred one another on to greater responses. We can do the same in our district. Will we?
When [the wise men from the East] saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. --Matthew 2:10-11 (NRSV)I experienced an epiphany as I read once again the story about the wise men from the East visiting the Christ child. It revolves around the gifts they brought—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each of these items carried substantial value. It stands to reason, then, that the ones who carried the gifts were likely very wealthy. Reflecting on the gifts and the givers in terms of their value and net worth, it occurred to me that all of this is a bit odd. Why would a baby be the recipient of such significant material items? Because we know the rest of the story, what this baby became, why would gifts of this magnitude be given to the one who, in adulthood, taught and lived simplicity? Doesn’t it seem contradictory?
I suppose it does. However, if this is our focus, then we are in danger of missing the point. The point is not about how much material value can be given to someone but rather on what is the intrinsic value of the one receiving the gift. This changes the emphasis of giving. Instead of being concerned with how much to give it becomes important to think about why the gift is given. Giving, then, becomes a response to the intrinsic value of the recipient.
What the wise men gave to the Christ child was less important than the reason for giving. They understood the intrinsic value of the baby and responded accordingly, that is, with their very best.
How much different could our giving be if we recognized the value of that to which we give? What if instead of thinking about the amounts we give to the District, or to New Church Development, or to Mission and Mortar, or to Disaster Response, we considered the intrinsic value of each of these important ministry opportunities? What if we started thinking about the importance of the district’s ministry to help congregations and credentialing ministers and building relationships? What if we started thinking about the importance of New Church Development reaching people for Christ and making disciples? What if we started thinking about the real value of Mission and Mortar in opening up opportunities for congregations to be more welcoming with attractive edifices and updated ministries? What if we started thinking about the real value of Disaster Response not in terms of just rebuilding homes but rebuilding lives? Would we respond differently or more generously? Would we willingly and freely give the very best of our time, talents, and treasure to these worthy ministries?
What if we thought about these ministries as the body of Christ in mission on earth to restore justice, bring peace, provide good stewardship, and offer hope? With a new year upon us, let’s invite one another to begin thinking anew about the intrinsic value of all that can receive gifts in this district. Then, let’s challenge each other to respond according.
I wonder what gift Jesus would have received if only one wise man would have visited? Because there was more than one, I suspect they spurred one another on to greater responses. We can do the same in our district. Will we?
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