Freely you have received, freely give. This is such a basic simple principle that it is hard to argue with, but have you ever encountered someone who has an obvious gift from me that they are stingy with? Or someone with a powerful gift from me that expects money, or recognition or power in exchange for exercising it? This is not to criticize the practice of freewill offerings, and if those are handled graciously it is clear that they are to be freely given so the giver can be cheerful. If you recognize that everything you have is a gift from me, then I have set a precedent by which you can pass it on without charge.

Why do you go to church? Do you go to meet with me? Do you go to socialize with your friends? Do you assume that these are contradictory goals and that one is high and lofty and the other one shallow and superficial? It doesn’t have to be such a stark choice. I promised that where 2 or 3 were gathered in my name I was in the midst of them. You can find my presence in a faith community and there are aspects of your spiritual formation that cannot be completed apart from one. Life in community is more than socializing, even as I have referred to my church as a body with many members.

Are you led by the Spirit? Do you resent any interference in your plans? Do you see a conflict between these things? For my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts, but I am willing to share my thoughts and ways with you. Are you willing to follow them? I don’t expect you not to make plans. Most of the time you will be able to carry our your intentions. But can you hold your plans with humility, being open to switch to a better plan if I provide one? It is better still to be led by the Spirit when you make your plans so you don’t have to change them on the way.

Have you heard the expression, ‘a hill you are willing to die on’? This phrase is more commonly used as ‘not a hill I’m willing to die on’ and that is good. This implies that it is an issue on which you are not willing to stake everything. Have you found that people who are willing to pursue everything to the bitter end are difficult to be around, and that the ends can be very bitter? Have you found that the more mature and wise a person is, the more they know what really matters and are willing to let the rest go? Blessed are those who know that being willing to die on a hill is not the same as laying down your life for me.