Dear friends, welcome to our house of worship.  On this day of great things, I have good news to report and I have bad news.  First the good news - It is already reported that we have all the funds we need to build our entire $1.5 million addition - absolutely everything we need!  The bad news is that it's all still in our pockets.

          Today is very important for our church and its future.  Commitment Day in a funding program is the culmination of much planning and effort and prayer.  Eighteen months ago we began planning for our church's future, and it became evident we must act swiftly to accommodate our growing population of little ones for Sunday School, as well as everyone coming to worship.  Last weekend we had 270 in attendance, our largest single weekend attendance ever.

          A year ago our Building Committee was formed and began its work.  Six months ago our congregation decided to get help with funding the project, and three months ago Capital Funding Associates came on board and got us organized.  Now we've come to Commitment Day, ready to receive our financial commitments for the expansion of God's temple called Epiphany.

          Jesus encourages us to take this step.  In Luke 14:28, He said, "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.  Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?"  That's what we're doing today.  We've estimated the costs of adding space for classrooms, fellowship and worship at $1.5 million.  Those who are not here today will have opportunity to indicate their commitment throughout this month.  Then December 2-3, we will dedicate all those Commitment Cards and also have a chance to give our first fruits gifts that day as well.

          We have some "early returns" to report (I hope it's okay to use that term in this post-election season), and "early returns" suggest great blessings from God.  This big project can be done.  Thanks be to God for whatever He is going to do among us!

          We've been hearing about "The ABCs of Giving."  We've learned that "A" stands for Attitude, "B" for Blessing, and "C" for Commitment.  And today, "D" is for Donation.  If we're going to build something, we must pick up our hammer, and if we're going to give something, we must open our pocketbooks.  That's called donation.

          The word "donation" comes from the Latin "donatus" meaning to give something willingly, cheerfully.  A "donor" makes a gift based on need as well as what the project means to him.  Some causes really touch us, like Christian Children's Fund, and so we give to them liberally.  Sometimes we just love the kids next door and so we buy their Christmas wreaths or cookie dough.  Whatever the case, we give where we believe it does the most good.

          It's also a proven fact that people give to people, and that people give when they're asked.  Not always, of course, but if there is no asking, there will usually be no giving.  James tells us in his letter, "You do not have, because you do not ask, and when you ask, it is with the wrong motives." (James 4:2-4)

          I want to assure you all that we ARE asking with right motives.  No one is building a monument to self or adding space recklessly.  We are making the new addition as nice and yet as practical as possible.  This project will triple our existing space and give us far better rooms to meet and grow in faith.

          The American industrialist billionaire, Henry Ford, was once asked to donate money to help build a new hospital.  Though he was a stranger to the project, Ford still committed $5,000.  The next day the local newspaper headlines read, "Ford pledges $50,000 to local hospital."  An irate Henry Ford was on the phone immediately to complain that he had been misunderstood.  "It was for $5,000, not $50,000," he insisted.  The hospital replied that they would print a retraction.  The next day the headlines read, "Ford reduces his donation by $45,000."  Now Ford was really angry, but realizing the poor publicity that would result, he agreed to the full $50,000 donation in return for the following:  Above the entrance to the hospital was to be carved the biblical inscription: "I was a stranger and you took me in."

          No one is here to take you in.  All we do should be freely and willingly done.  This is a chance to commit to the Lord and His people whatever gift you may choose.  We will get some larger gifts, but also many smaller ones.  Most causes are funded $100 gifts, but $10,000 gifts are also gratefully accepted.

          In today's text, when King David stood before his people on the day of ingathering to build the new temple, he told them what his commitment was going to be.  He said, "I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: three thousand talents of gold and seven thousand talents of refined silver..."  Then he said, "Now, who is willing today to consecrate himself to the LORD?" (1 Chronicles 29:5)

          David's gift amounted to several tons of precious metals, probably half of all that he had.  It was a staggering amount, even to those who knew his wealth.  As a result, the Bible tells us the leaders and officers of the Israelites also responded by giving liberally.  The Bible continues: "The leaders of families, officers of the tribes of Israel, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly...  Five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron.  Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD." (1 Chronicles 29:6-8)

          TONS of money and gems - wow!  The Bible also says, "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD.  King David also rejoiced greatly." (1 Chronicles 29:9)

          We don't need tons of money, but we do need a lot.  Five years ago we built this church for $200,000, but today is different.  Now I'm going to ask Mr. Bob Bewersdorf of Capital Funding Associates to come forward and speak to us briefly about the process of giving our Commitments to the Lord as we add another portion to God's temple here at Epiphany.

(Mr. Bewersdorf's presentation)

          There is much good news at Epiphany Lutheran Church, and part of it is that after today you won't be hearing many more sermons dedicated to giving - hallelujah!  But I still want to end today's message with a story of giving - this time it's God's giving.  John 3:16 tells us, (say it with me) "God so loved the world that He GAVE His only Son..."  God's measure of His love to us is shown in His giving.  God the Father loved us and did something about it.  He didn't just talk a good talk, He also walked the walk.

Copyright © 2006 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.