This sermon was preached on the 18th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 20B) at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles. You may watch the video of this sermon by clicking here. The readings which inspired the sermon were the following:
Proverbs 31:10-31
Psalm 1
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
Opening Prayer: Holy God, let my words be your words and when my words are not your words, let your people be wise enough to know the same. Amen.
Introduction
Has the following ever happened to you: You are engaged in a very important conversation—maybe this is with your spouse, a sibling, parent, or friend. Together you are treading into some newfound insight that has the power to change your life forever, but all of a sudden, the conversation gets sidetracked such that you find yourselves arguing over doing the dishes, who was mom and dad’s favorite child, why things aren’t as good as they used to be, or whose college football team is the best. If you’ve ever had a moment of divine clarity diverted by an argument over power or greatness, then today’s Gospel lesson is for you.
(And to be clear, I believe we have all fallen prey to missing the important bit because our egos gets in the way)
In this Gospel lesson, Jesus and his disciples were journeying through Galilee. On the way, he shared with them the stark reality of what was to come: his betrayal, death, and resurrection. But rather than sitting with this profound teaching, the disciples found themselves caught up in a different conversation—one about authority and importance.
We can imagine the scene. While Jesus spoke of transformative sacrifice, the disciples argued over perceived greatest. This tension between self-interest and sacrifice was not a new struggle even then, nor was it confined to the disciples long ago. It is a decision point we all face, especially in moments when we are asked to give of ourselves or when we are asked to take the path of service rather than self-promotion.
When they arrived in Capernaum, Jesus directly confronted the disciples’ argument. His response is a powerful reminder of what it means to be his follower: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” To illustrate his point, Jesus brought a child into their midst, a symbol of vulnerability and dependence. This was a particularly radical act in the first century when children were seen more as property than as people. Jesus enlightened those listening that welcoming the child is the same as welcoming him—and by extension, welcoming God.
What a profound teaching this is, particularly as we begin our financial stewardship campaign—Walk In Love. The heart of the spiritual practice of stewardship is not about status, power, or comfort. It’s about embracing the call to servanthood—about being last so that others may be first. It is about welcoming the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the dependent. And it is about living out our faith in a way that reflects Christ’s own generosity and sacrificial love.
Stewardship as an Act of Servanthood
In a world that often rewards ambition and individual achievement, Jesus calls us to live differently. He invites us to see greatness not in wealth or power but in humility and service. This is the essence of Christian stewardship. When we give, we are participating in the divine economy of grace—a system in which our resources are not hoarded but shared for the sake of others.
Stewardship, then, is not simply a financial transaction. It is a spiritual practice, a discipline of the heart. Through our giving, we are called to align ourselves with Jesus’ example of servanthood. As we embark on this season of financial stewardship, we are invited to reflect on how we might “become last” in order to serve those in need, and how we can use our resources to welcome others into the embrace of God’s love.
Welcoming the Child: A Model for Stewardship
Jesus’ act of welcoming a child into the circle of disciples speaks volumes to us today. The child represents those who have little power, influence, or wealth—those who are often overlooked or undervalued in society. When Jesus takes the child into his arms, he makes a profound statement about where our priorities should lie.
Who are the “children” in our midst today? Who are the ones Jesus is calling us to welcome through our stewardship? Perhaps it is the struggling family who relies on our church’s outreach ministries, the neighbor who finds solace in our community, or the young person seeking a place to belong. Our financial contributions are not merely about maintaining programs or keeping the lights on. They are about extending the welcome of Christ to those who need it most.
In giving, we are not just meeting the needs of the church; we are partnering with God in the work of transforming lives. Stewardship is about embracing this responsibility and seeing our gifts as a means to further God’s mission in the world.
Sacrificial Giving as a Reflection of Christ’s Love
The disciples’ argument over who is the greatest is a reminder of how easy it is to get caught up in self-interest. But Jesus shows us another way. His life was one of radical generosity, pouring himself out for the sake of others. As we reflect on the call to stewardship, we are asked to give in a way that reflects Christ’s own sacrificial love.
Sacrificial giving does not mean giving until you get into financial trouble, but it does invite us to give in a way that stretches us. It invites us to step out of our comfort zones and consider how we might use the blessings we have received to bless others. This might mean giving more than we initially planned or reassessing how we prioritize our finances. But in doing so, we are living into the example Jesus set for us.
Stewardship: A Response to Grace
Finally, we must remember that stewardship is a response to grace. It is not something we do out of obligation or fear, but out of gratitude for all that God has done for us. When we give, we are not simply supporting the work of the church—we are responding to the incredible generosity God has already shown us. Every gift we offer is a tangible expression of our gratitude for God’s abundant blessings.
As we begin this season of financial stewardship, I encourage you to reflect on how your giving is a reflection of your faith. How might God be calling you to use your resources to serve others? How can we as a community grow in our commitment to welcome the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the overlooked?
Let us remember that greatness in the kingdom of God is not measured by wealth or status, but by our willingness to serve. May we embrace the call to be “last of all and servant of all,” and in doing so, may we reflect the heart of Christ, who gives everything for our sake.
Amen.
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