Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?  And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’                                                            Matthew 6: 25-34

On March 18, my 3rd Sunday at Rolling Hills, I preached a sermon entitled, A Risky Journey.

“Our journey calls us to think together about our faith, to ask questions, to grow, to stretch and explore the issues of our faith. We need to bring our best thinking, our best praying as we travel together….it’s a risky journey.”

In the gospel reading this morning, a portion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spells out that risky journey… that risky way of living – living without worry as we trust God completely, seeking first the kingdom: the rule and reign of God.

No doubt about it – seeking first the kingdom of God involves risky living and always involves risky giving.

In the Hobbit, Gandalf tells Bilbo Baggins: “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I’m arranging…and it’s very difficult to find anyone.”  Bilbo responds, “I should think so…Hobbits are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures…nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things…they make you late for dinner!”

In that March 18th sermon I said, “I believe that God is saying to Rolling Hills: “I’m looking for people to share in an adventure, it’s a risky journey. It involves following the One who went to the cross. It involves following the One who came not be served but to serve.”

Our greatest need is to trust completely in God, as evidenced by the cheerful giving of our time, talent and treasure, to the ongoing work of the Gospel.

It’s a risky thing to fill out a pledge card…to plant a seed of faith.

There’s an ancient story about a wise man who, when he heard that the end of the world was near, went out into his garden and planted a tree, an act of courage, an a act of hope an act of risky living.

Through the generosity of our giving, the lives of others will be touched and transformed.

Eugene Boring, New Testament Professor at Brite Divinity School, says that Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 represent a radical call to his followers to move away from the cultural values of our age into a life of trust in God.

Adam Hamilton, pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection at 137 & Roe, wrote in a recent mailing:

“Increasing consumer debt, declines in savings, lower income growth, rising housing costs and a volatile stock market are contributing to economic insecurity.”

He went on to say, “We live in a society that tells us “you deserve it now,” whether or not we can afford it or really even need it.”

I know the story of one little boy, when asked by his parents whether he would rather have a new video game or a or a new toy, asked “Well, why can’t I have them both?”

We can’t we have everything right now?

Many humorous remarks about money reflect cultural values:

• “Money can’t buy you happiness...but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.” Spike Milligan
• “I am opposed to millionaires…but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.” Mark Twain.
• “People who say money can’t buy happiness just don’t know where to shop”

Seeking first the rule and reign of God is a risky way to live because it sets us in opposition to the prevailing winds of the culture which constantly push us to center our security and our happiness in material possessions and financial resources.

It is so easy to believe that “things” bring ultimate meaning to our existence.  But they do not last.

There is a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strip with a snowman, where Hobbes, the tiger, says, “This snowman doesn’t look very happy.”

Calvin responds, “He’s not.  He knows it’s just a matter to time before he melts.”  Calvin continues, “The sun ignores his entreaties.  He feels his existence is meaningless.”

Hobbes asks, “Is it?”

Calvin replies, “Nope.  He’s about to buy a big screen TV.”

Only what we invest for eternity lasts for an eternity. 

I ask myself the following questions:

• Where does my ultimate security rest?
• What does it mean to “store up treasures in heaven?”
• What can I do in this life, (what seeds can I plant) that will outlive my earthly existence?

All good questions to ask during this Stewardship time at

The words in II Corinthians 9 speak to us about our attitude in giving: “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Perhaps the offering time should be punctuated by spontaneous laughter!

When our lives are filled with gratitude to God, we do not ask, “How much do I have to give?” but rather, “How much can I give?”

Everyone’s life situation and circumstances are different. What Jesus is emphasizing in Matthew 6 is the fact that our entire lives are to be lived as an act of stewardship. We joyfully give ourselves to God at every level: time, talent and financial resources.

But no doubt about it – seeking first the kingdom of God involves risky living and risky giving.

• Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church is on an adventure of risky living… beginning the search for an Interim Associate Pastor,
• the election of a PNC to begin searching for an installed pastor,
• the risky living involves loving God, loving others, and reaching out beyond these walls with Christ’s love….which means risky giving.

I don’t know who wrote the following words about RISK, but I love them:

As I read them I invite you reflect on your life and the life and ministry of Jesus.

“To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out for another is to risk involvement.

To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.

To place your ideas before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.  (TO GIVE…

To live is to risk dying.

To hope is to risk despair.

To try is to risk failure.

…But risk must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

…Only a person who risks is truly free.”

When John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was asked by someone, “What can I do for God’s kingdom?” replied, “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”

.”  And pray for the ministry and mission of RH Presbyterian…as we grow as those who are involved in Risky Living and Risky Giving…seeking first the kingdom of God.

Through the generosity of our giving, the lives of others will be touched and transformed.