A Note From Pastor Andrew

Invested

God’s investment plans may baffle financial advisors. It’s high risk. There’s no promised ROI. No business plan per se. And yet, God invites us to invest in those who have been forgotten and things that seem unreachable. And maybe most surprisingly, the God of an infinite and expanding universe is invested in you. This Fall, as we consider how we steward our time, talents, and treasures, we will be looking to the Psalms for the inspiration of our Stewardship Sermon Series: “Invested.” Each week, we’ll consider some of God’s investments:

September 14 - “Invested in the Spirit” (Psalm 51)

It is said that “money can buy a bed, but not sleep, food but not appetite, a house but not a home.” Psalm 51, written by King David after falling into terrible sin, reveals the importance of repentance and forgiveness, and how it renews one’s spirit to truly live again. (Faithful Teaching)

September 21 - “Invested In the Poor” (Psalm 113)

There is always a place for the poor: next to princes. There is wisdom to sit the poor next to princes, not just for the sake of the poor but for the sake of the people, to make decisions with all in mind. Blessings go both ways in God’s kingdom. (Gracious Generosity)

September 28 - “Invested In the Oppressed” (Psalm 146)

We may feel small in this great universe, but the oppressed can feel even smaller. Yet God, according to the Psalm, sees the oppressed, sees prisoners, the blind, the foreigner, the orphan, and the downcast. God lifts them up, so should we. (Honoring God & Neighbor)

October 5 - “Invested In Justice” (Psalm 37)

It doesn’t feel like doing the right thing “pays off” sometimes, especially when we see how injustice, greed, and anger can even feel rewarded at other times. Yet God promises that will not be the case. He will uphold justice; and calls us to do the same. (Outward Mission)

October 12 - “Invested In Praise” (Psalm 111)

God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. It’s a phrase, not dissimilar to the words of the psalm. Whatever our circumstances are, directing our focus on God with praise can reframe how we see the world around us. (Authentic Worship)

October 19 - “Invested In You” (Psalm 121)

For all those whom God invests in, don’t forget that God invests in you. You are not forgotten. When you wonder, “Who will help me?” The answer is, “The Lord will.” From your first to last breath, God watches over your life. (Real Relationships)

As we consider the ways God invests in his creation and his people, let us also consider how we, too, may become investors in God’s kingdom. Sometimes, that means reassessing what we are doing with our time, talents, and treasures. Sometimes, it means making difficult decisions. However, let not our decisions to give be coerced by destructive guilt; instead, let us give according to the faith, hope, and love God so freely gives.

Pastor Andrew