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“Harvest Supper”
There was an October
tradition in my little country church called the Harvest
Supper. Started in the early 1900’s, the church family,
consisting mostly of farmers, would gather together for a
meal. Tables were loaded with fried chicken, fresh fruits and
vegetables, and pies. Laughter and conversation echoed in the
basement fellowship hall. At the close of the meal, the pastor
would offer a blessing and then one by one, a member of each
family came forward and placed in a basket, offerings to be
used for the ministries of the church. These offerings were
above and beyond what every family gave each week as their
tithe. God’s blessings for the resources were acknowledged
through the abundance of the harvest. Some years were lean,
but the basket always managed to overflow. My church family
lived as a Harvest people.
What does it mean for us
to live as Harvest people? Ours is a changing world where the
words “income” and “wages” have been replaced with “return”
and “yield.” Families struggle with “credit” and “debt.”
Businesses deal with “mergers” and “acquisitions.”
While the words “Tithes” and “Offerings” still remain
a part of our vocabulary, there is fear that the meaning of
them has been lost.
Scripture calls us to give
a tithe of our income to God. As a member of the United
Methodist Church we vow to give our gifts, our prayers, our
talents, and our presence. Those who are called to be a part
of this community of faith are making a deeper commitment than
what is made as a member of a service club or parent booster
organization. Our commitment is to God. It is living as a
Harvest people: recognizing all that we have is from God and
we are called to give a portion back to God.
I have heard people say
“this church has always struggled to pay its bills.” This
statement tears at my heart. Nothing can distract a church
more from its mission than the “struggle to pay bills.”
But I still believe in miracles. I believe that the time has
come for this church to no longer struggle to keep its doors
open but to turn things around so that we can “Glorify God
and Bring People to Christ.” (NCUMC vision statement)
So, here’s a plan: Begin
to pray. Begin to ask God for guidance on how to be a fruitful
and faithful body of Christ. Examine your heart and name all
the things for which you are grateful. Prioritize your
spending and giving. Give what you can. Give joyfully and not
out of fear or obligation. Only you and God know what you are
able to give. If each of us prepares to give gratefully, we
will all live as Harvest people.
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