Today’s Word from Pastor Jim
To whom much is given, much will be expected.
“When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus
In the agrarian culture of the Old Testament, gleaning refers to the practice of gathering leftover crops from fields after the main harvest. This practice was a way for the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners to obtain food for themselves. God commanded that farmers leave portions of their fields unharvested, particularly the edges, and not pick up dropped grain, so that those in need could follow behind and collect what was left. Charity, a benevolent stewardship of resources, and concern for the less fortunate have always been an expectation of God.
In our non-agrarian society, most of us are removed from traditional harvests. We collect food from grocery shelves, we support local food banks, and we send money to ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Relief. It is not exactly gleaning but it is charitable, and it makes for a healthier and safer society.
Gleaning; leaving something behind for the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners. Might we consider gleaning for the next generation, gleaning for those who will come after us? The gleaning that I am talking about has to do with our estate planning. Leaving something behind when we are gone. Leaving something for the good of society, something that might benefit local charities or future generations of students. The Schrecengost Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment offers you a vehicle for gleaning. The Endowment is managed professionally and each year money from the endowment leaves our campus to do good across the island, on college campuses and across the globe. Gleaning, leaving something behind, a legacy of thanksgiving.
Here are a few of the thank you notes from students who will be attending institutions of higher learning this fall. All told 44 students will be in school this fall on TLC scholarships.
Dear Trinity Lutheran,
I am so grateful and honored to have received this scholarship. This will help me get through college and into my dream of teaching. Thank you so much, this scholarship is huge to me. I am truly blessed to have been chosen as the recipient.
To the Trinity Lutheran Church Scholarship Counsel,
Thank you so much for choosing me as one of the recipients for the 4-year University Scholarship. This scholarship will be such an amazing help for paying for this first year of college. I cannot say how thankful I am for this scholarship and how much it will help me take this next step in my life. I hope to give back someday and to help another kid go to college in the future. Thank you all again for this opportunity.
Trinity Lutheran Church,
Thank you for accepting me as one of the recipients of your scholarship. Thank you for supporting not just me and my siblings financially, but also my family and others through your extraordinarily positive and welcoming community. Thank you for supporting Deacon Amy and the fun trips she and the youth group go on.
See you all this Christmas!
Hello! I just wanted to reach out and tell you how thankful I am for the scholarship money you donated to me. It means a lot knowing that people care enough to spend time, effort, and resources to help other people achieve their dreams, and I also appreciate that you saw something worth investing in for me. You guys have all been a pivotal part of my childhood from Karl singing to us every day, to Pastor Jim confirming me, to Amy being a shoulder to cry on. You all truly embody Christ in everything you do with your kindness and love. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you’ve done for me.
Thank you!!
Keep smiling, keep serving, and consider gleaning.
One beggar, telling another beggar where to find bread, I am your,
Pastor Jim
PS: If you would like to respond directly to Pastor Jim, please email rvlindus@whidbey.com.
