Sometimes the same words have two very different meanings. For example, spiritual welfare can mean two different things. It can mean the state of our spiritual health or it can mean something entirely different. Here is a story offered by an old friend. The numbers have been modified to represent the Kirk’s situation.

“My family and I went to church last Sunday. We were greeted as we entered the welcoming warmth of the sanctuary. (I wonder who maintained the boilers and turned on the heat.) The lights were on and the worship center was clean and well kept—evidently by the janitor. I knew I hadn’t done it. The usher handed us a beautiful bulletin neatly typed and folded—by the secretary I supposed. The organist/pianist provided wonderful music and the choir director led the choir. During the announcements the minister spoke about the children’s ministries, the youth ministries, and our mission gifts that spread God’s love. (We are pretty impressive!)

During the message the minister talked about how we all have a need to give and that giving is a spiritual blessing both to those who give and to those who are recipients of our gifts. He said that being a good steward of all our blessings is important to our spiritual welfare (or well being). He said that sometimes, because we do not take our spiritual welfare (or well being) seriously, and so we end up letting someone else carry our part of the spiritual welfare (or well being) of our church and our world. Since our spiritual well being is sickly, we end up being on “spiritual welfare” by letting someone else do God’s work for us.

We sat there taking it all in: the heat, the light, the building, the music, the salaries, the insurance, joy of fellowship, the whole shebang. One of our church leaders said that on the basis of our annual budget it cost $638 a day to keep our church open. I did the math when I got home: $638 divided by 180 members equals $3.54 per person per day. $3.54 times 365 equals $1,293.72 per member per year to keep my church open, and more than that to make it vital and alive next year. That means for my wife and I and our teenage daughter (who is an official member) my part of the support of my church’s mission and ministries is $3,881.16 a year.

I know that some people are able to give more and I gave thanks for that. And I realized that others cannot give as much so I hoped they would not feel badly. But I realized that I was able to give more than I do and that I was receiving spiritual welfare.
I decided then and there that I was going to improve my spiritual welfare (spiritual health) by getting off spiritual welfare and being a better steward of the gifts God has given me."

How is your spiritual welfare?

May God's Peace and Joy fill your heart and mind,

    Rev. Mark C. Sirnic