October 26, 2003; 20 Pentecost B Readings: Isaiah 59:9-19; Hebrews 5:12-6:1, 9-12; Mark 10:46-52.   The Rev. Dr. Hilary B. Smith Needs and Hopes Next Sunday, in addition to being All Saints' Sunday, is our Stewardship Sunday. We will have the opportunity to make our financial pledge for 2004. As we consider the pledge that we will make, we are called to consider our needs and hopes. God calls us to articulate our situation at present and our desires for the future. In our reading from Mark's gospel, we find Jesus urging Bartimaeus to speak his prayer. Jesus asks Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?" This was the moment. For Bartimaeus, this was the question that would change his life. His response to Jesus would determine his future. Jesus asked him to articulate his need and his hope. Everyone could see that Bartimaeus was a blind beggar. The locals knew him, and they were tired of him. "Be quiet; don't bother Jesus," they say. Jesus could also see that the beggar was blind. Certainly, Jesus knew what Bartimaeus needed most. So why does he ask the question? "What do you want me to do for you." There must be something important about articulating the answer to Jesus' question. I wonder what would have happened if Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, had asked for money rather than the ability to see? He was blind. He was poor. He needed money. What if Jesus had given him money, but not restored his sight? He might have been better off for the day, but his life would not have changed. In the case of Bartimaeus, money was the least of his problems. He needed to regain his sight. You might be wondering where this sermon is going. As I was writing it, I found myself wondering if I was going to say: "We don't need money, we need vision." That would be unlike any stewardship sermon that I've ever heard, and we do need money to keep the lights on and the like. It helps to keep the lights on as we clarify our vision. I think the message today, is not we don't need money, but, as we consider our pledge, we need to remember who we are and what we need most. We are called to articulate our hopes and our needs to God. By naming our hopes and our needs before God in prayer, God will help us work out the details. God will help us deal with issues of money, and, more important, provide vision for our future. Let's talk about money. It's not easy to talk about money. In our culture, money is never just about the money. Right? You know that. As the secular world understands it, money is about power and influence. Within the Christian community, money is important only as it helps us to spread the Gospel and care for each other. Having money or not having money has nothing to do with our value as people or a parish. We are justified by Jesus Christ and not by money. Whatever amount you are able to give to the church is gladly received. If you give a lot of money, it will be received with thanks. If you give a small amount of money, it will be received with thanks. The amount of money that you give to the church has nothing to do with your standing in the church. We are all equal in the sight of God. We really cannot say that enough. In fact, if I kept saying that, and did not talk about money at all, our budget would probably double because more people would come to be with us. People are seeking communities that value them, not their money. So how much should you pledge to the church for 2004? The historic standard has been the tithe. Tithing means giving 10% of our gross income to the church. If we are not yet tithing, it is assumed that we are working toward the tithe. Let's get real. Very few people tithe. Some people should not, if it would mean going with out the necessities of life-food, medicine, and heat. For many retired Americans, the cost of those necessities requires all their money, and, yet, retired Americans are the ones most likely to be tithing because that is what the church asks and that's what they have always done. Much more education is required to bring other generations on board with the tithe. Interestingly, research has been done that shows many churchgoers give far more money to other organizations than they do to the church. Perhaps this is because organizations such as universities, for example, do a better job at explaining their needs and hopes in ways that cause people to give. Maybe part of the reason is that it is easier to conceptualize a stadium than it is the "kingdom of heaven." The church cannot be afraid to talk about money. Members need to know the church's needs and its hopes. Over the last few weeks, we have been trying to understand the purpose of our pledges. Our most basic financial needs have been outlined. We have heard from members of our congregation about experiencing God's grace through the ministry of our parish. This is just the beginning of exploring our needs and our hopes. I am committed to working with all of you on a parish visioning process. You will have input regarding the use of the money that you pledge. Church leaders have an obligation to articulate the community's needs and hopes so that its members are able to respond appropriately. I have great hope for us and for the many people whose lives will be changed by finding God among us. Pray about your hopes for our future as you consider your pledge. Hear Jesus ask you, "What do you want me to do for you?" What do you hope that Jesus will do for you and for our parish? Pray and take heart for God is with us. As we hear in the letter to the Hebrews, remember that, "...God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints." Amen.