Generosity and Matthew 25: "I was a stranger and..."
The presbytery of Milwaukee based their giving on Matthew 25. A great example for churches to follow.
I was hungry, and … I was a stranger, and …
The words from Matthew 25 are familiar. This story of putting Matthew 25 into action comes via the Presbyterian Church USA. Someone donated $100,000 to the presbytery of Milwaukee. Don’t let the size of the gift limit your imagination - keep reading!
The presbytery gave $2,000 to all 41 churches in the presbytery, regardless of how big the church was, with the presbytery retaining the rest. They all shared the same goal of “building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty.” They reported on the outcomes of the generosity using the familiar words of Matthew 25. I’ve paraphrased their reporting:
I was sick and you helped to provide…
pneumonia vaccines for a local clinic
over $1 million in unpaid medical debt bought up and cleared
clean drinking water in Haiti
I was hungry and you contributed to…
food pantries, a community garden with co-operation between churches
I was in prison and you cared about me…
jail ministry, cash bail relief fund and more
I was a stranger and need a place to live. You helped with…
transitional housing, homeless shelter, homeless youth and LGBTQ+ youth
I needed clothes and you helped with…
back to school supplies
Christmas gifts
Isn’t that a wonderful list? By my tally, the gifts to churches generated over $13,000 in additional donations. Doubtless a common focus generated some energy in the presbytery too. Congregational vitality through loving neighbours - what a great story to be part of!
What is blessed?
The story from Milwaukee helps to define what blessed looks like:
Matthew 5:34-46 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
Blessed people seek the welfare of others. It’s as simple - and as complicated - as that.