By Anthony Chvala-Smith, scripture and theology consultant
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us...
[Adapted from Witness the Word DGR series]
As in many other Christian churches, when Community of Christ congregations gather, we routinely include in our worship the practice of making an offering. In our tradition we’ve come to call it the “disciple’s generous response.” But we can become dull to oft-repeated phrases, so let’s reflect for a moment on what we are really about to do.
I say “really” because there is more going on in this practice than we might assume. We’re tempted to treat the offering superficially—as if this practice were merely a kind of business transaction. We need “x” to pay for “y”; we give “a” to get “b.” We’ve got to keep the lights on, the water running, and the trash collected.
No doubt. But as in so much of human experience, there is a “more” here, a depth that deserves and demands our focused attention. Otherwise, we’ll just skip off the surface of what we’re about to—or worse, misinterpret it with the logic of the marketplace, which is not gospel logic.
Late in the first century, a protege of the Apostle Paul wrote in the name of his master a text that came to be called the Letter to the Ephesians. Listen to these words, of which—I am sure—Paul would have approved:
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us....” (Ephesians 5:1–2a).
We are called to “imitate God.” This seems a tall order—unreachable, really. The author doesn’t think so. The word used here in the Greek text is mimētēs. We get our English word mimic from it. So Ephesians 5 is inviting us to “mimic” God.
But in what sense? The whole of Ephesians celebrates that God’s very nature is to be extravagant, even lavish. In Christ God has poured out on the world the full riches of divine love. God didn’t hold back, but gave. It’s who God is. And we who, by grace, follow Christ and in whom Christ dwells by the Holy Spirit, get to learn how to “mimic” God’s liberality with the whole substance of our lives.
We miss the point if we think the offering is about paying bills. The offering—the disciple’s generous response and the practice of sharing generously—is finally and ultimately about God. There is an ancient principle of the Christian spiritual life, that we become like what we worship. God’s character as lovingly, lavishly generous we get to imitate as we share in this practice.
Sharing is one way we may open ourselves to reflecting the boundless love of the One who has embraced us and will not let us go. Beloved friends, let us keep learning to mimic God!
Prayer Phrase
“…do good and share what you have” (Hebrews 13:16).
Enough and to Spare
Take three slow, deep breaths. As you inhale, silently say, “There is enough.” As you exhale, say, “And more to share.” Then name aloud or write down three ways you already experience God’s generosity in your life—big or small. End by asking, “How can I share from what I’ve been given today?”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.