Salvation Is Not An Equation, But A Process

REFLECTIONS
November 8, 2009

A past L. A. Times article told of a football player’s struggles to balance a new marriage, along with school work and sports. The part of this story that is unique was how he came to play football. Having grown to early adolescence in a country where football was not played, he tried out for a soccer team and knew something was different when he was given a helmet. How he came to the United States in the first place was quite unusual, along with what his family left behind.

His father was a successful businessman in Egypt, but fearing his children would be at a disadvantage in choices for schools and jobs, he brought his family to America. Christianity is a minority religion in Egypt and its adherents are at a marked disadvantage when applying to colleges and seeking employment.

The father had money and position, but he knew his children would not have an equal opportunity, so he left his homeland bringing only what little they could carry and very little money. Since coming to the U. S., he has supported his family by working fifty hours a week in a gas station for minimum wage. Instead of enjoying the fruits of his labor, he sacrificed his wealth and in some measure his health for his children.

In terms of fiscal management this story is a disaster. For a middle-aged man to leave a successful business and money in the bank for an uncertain future seems silly at best. On the other hand, from a standpoint of spiritual management, this story is awesome. In the story, the son spoke of how overwhelmed he is by the generosity of his dad. He is committed to doing his best in school and in sports not because he hopes to become a professional football player, but because he desires to live toward the gift he has been given.

We come now to the end of another financial campaign. Letters have been written, words of encouragement given, each intended to inspire and enliven our sense of stewardship. The questions ever before us, in terms of stewardship, is what does generous giving look like? For some it is easy, generosity has to do with decimal points and the number of zeros following. For others, it has to do with human care and commitment, the kind having been paid by the saints of history. In this body of believers many, and many more unknown, have risked greatly in terms of dollars and faith for us to be where we are now.

In the story just shared about the football playing Egyptian, one thing is fair to assume. If asked what generosity looked like, the son would say, “just like my dad.” Long ago a pledge was written in a language we don’t understand by Someone whose motives confused the world and overwhelm us still. How silly are we to think we can cover that generosity with what we have in the bank.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601