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The future often seems tenuous in the unsafe and insecure places and events of our world. But as Christ’s church, our call and our delight is to live fully each day, placing our trust and our future firmly in God’s hand. What voices in our world attempt to lull us into a false peace and security?

Stewardship Thought For Today

People make a living by what they get.

They make a life by what they give.

by Sir Winston Churchill

Today's scriptures clearly talk about risk taking. Deborah took the risk of being a leader in a time and place when women were certainly not thought of as being equal in any way never mind leading an army! She knew what her gifts were and she chose to use them. I'm sure it took her a while to develop her gifts and learn to trust them.

In the parable of the talents we read about three people who were asked to risk the money they were given. The first two invested their money and the master was happy with them. "As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Was the master's reply to the third slave who buried his money. The outcome for the person who risked nothing seems most unfair! On first hearing this it made me shake my head. What kind of God says that? Sounds kind of mean spirited doesn't it?

Something to note is that the writer of Matthew's gospel mentions the kingdom of heaven often. It seems to be a fixation with him. Therefore if there is a way into the kingdom there must be a reason for not getting there. We must also remember that these words were written many years after Jesus had died and we know what happens to stories when they are told and retold many times. The details tend to change somewhat.

I cannot believe that God is vengeful and that God would condemn us to a dreadful eternity for not using our talents. After all I believe that this slave did what he thought was right. There was a lesson for him to learn about using his talents but I doubt it meant eternal condemnation.

The people who were hearing this parable would know exactly what Jesus was saying and they would have no trouble deciphering the message. When these stories were written 2000 years ago I doubt the writers would have ever thought that we would be reading them today.

If we don't take this story literally what then can we glean from it for us? I would look at the money as the gifts God has given us. The talents that we have been given.

I often hear people say "I have no talents"! That is not true, we all have talents and gifts. Some people are musical, some are good at public speaking, some are great at baking and cooking, some are good listeners, comforters, care givers, dancers. There are those who make you feel extremely comfortable when visiting their homes, they are hospitable. I could go on for a long time listing talents that we have. There is not one person who does not have talents of some kind. There is not one talent that is more important that another either. As we work together in this realm we live in we need all these talents put together to work for the good of humankind.

When I think of the man who buried his talent I think of someone who is afraid to show their talent. Afraid to take the risk to step out and claim this talent. When I was growing up one was considered conceited if they were talked about what they were good at. I can understand why people of my generation have difficulty with using their talents. /////

How can we share what we have been given if we don't use it? If we bury our talent in the ground how will it grow? The more often we use our gifts the better they get. Everything gets better with practice.

There is a risk when we use our talents. I've always thought that this parable is about having the courage to take the risk of faith. The reason the servant didn't risk was because he was so afraid of loosing what was given to him. Frequently we don't respond to God, not because we don't want to, not because we don't have the gifts, but because we are so afraid. The question becomes, what are we afraid of? Fear is only fear itself. If we allow fear to stop us fear has won. A very wise person said to me "fear will always be with us it will always walk beside us but as soon as it walks in front of us it has won".

Let us live our lives creatively and boldly, know that God's grace is there for us. God's love is there to pick us up and help us. God gave us these gifts therefore let us use them./////

A man bought a loom for his wife many years ago because she thought that she would like to weave. After several attempts, she discovered just how difficult it was to thread and operate the loom and so for 35 years of their marriage this loom sat up on a back shelf. Every time the husband would try to get his wife to put it in a garage sale, she would say, "No. It is so important to me; it was a gift from you." But she has shown no thanksgiving for the gift because she has never used it. This man said that he would rather that she give it to someone who would use it.

Let's not put our gifts on a shelf but continue to use them. It's worth the risk.

I think of the people I know who put themselves out there using their talents. For the most part the first time we try to use our talents we aren't perfect at them. The more we use them the more rewarding they become.

Today is education or college Sunday. I would like to mention the number of people who risk by going into ministry. We all are ministers but what I mean by ministry today is paid, accountable ministry.

There is risk in taking the step to discern what type of ministry one is best suited for. Then there is taking the risk of actually acting upon this call and beginning the study.

Ministry is certainly one vocation that uses many different gifts. If those of us who are studying tried to have all the gifts it would be impossible. We learn to celebrate the diversity of gifts and talents that are shared. Like anything it is risky to put yourself out there in front of congregations.

Have you read some of the ads for ministry personnel in the Observer? I would like to read a couple to you. Wanted: an energetic individual to work with a team. The individual we seek will have strong pastoral skills and is very caring and compassionate; understands how to attend to the spiritual needs of an aging congregation, but can also appeal to new members and younger families. As a key member of the ministry team the candidate will also provide support in worship, Christian education, special interest and outreach groups.

Looking for an experienced energetic enthusiastic ordained minister with a sense of humour who would love to preach, teach and nurture the growing faith of our two multi-generational congregations. Pastoral care, musical talents, commitment to youth and creativity in worship are important to us.

That just about covers it! There are many more but I think you get the picture. The risk that is taken is that no one minister has all the gifts that are asked for to lead a congregation. It would be wonderful but it's not too likely that superman or superwoman is out there. Well, they may be but in six months they will probably be burned out. It would be taking a risk for me to apply for either of those jobs. I know I don't have all those talents but I do have some that I could offer.

The United Church of Canada has a number of colleges across Canada. Vancouver School of Theology, St. Stephen's in Edmonton, St. Andrew's in Saskatoon, Centre for Christian Studies in Winnipeg, Emmanuel College in Toronto, Queen's College in Kingston (which is pictured on your bulletin cover) United Theological College in Montreal, and Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax.

At this time from Westminster you have two students: Taylor Croissant who is attending St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon in his first year of theology and myself. I am getting my education from United Theological College in Montreal and am in my third and final year of the Lay Pastoral in Training program.

I don't know how many are aware that we have an education fund in our budget. It is there to help anyone financially who is taking a course. The fund is there for anyone to apply if they are taking an education course from one of our institutions or lay training centres.

I have applied for the past two years for financial support and am thankful that Westminster has been able to help me.

A t any time you can contribute to this fund if you mark it clearly on your envelope.

I would hope that as Taylor continues on with his education that he will be offered financial support as well as he risks using his gifts that God has given him.

I pray that we all will risk using our gifts. The more we use them the more we will be used. That's what it's all about after all isn't it? We are placed on this earth to help one another and we can only do that by using the gifts we have been given.

So then let us step out in faith and use our God given gifts for the betterment of humanity and creation. Amen.