If you have been following the Gospel readings over the last several weeks, you would’ve noticed that many of the readings have been drawn from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It’s one of the longest and most famous collections of Jesus’ moral teachings.  

Today you’re going to hear a slightly different kind of sermon. Today is a “sermon on the amount.” I’d like to present you with a number: 240,000. Dollars. $240,000. At our annual vestry meeting today, after this service, you will be asked to pass a budget that calls for this congregation—that means all of us—to give a total of $240,000 throughout the year 2023. It seems like a lot of money, and it is. To put it in clearer perspective: if you divide 240,000 by 52 weeks of the year, you get just over 4,600 per week. That means our weekly congregational givings should total, on average, $4,600.  

Perhaps you’re not aware of these numbers. Maybe you’ve never really thought about contributing financially to this church. It might’ve never crossed your mind. To be sure, there might be some of us who simply can’t afford to contribute any money. Each month is a struggle just to cover the rent and utilities and ensure there’s enough food for three meals a day. I’ve known people in that situation, and in my experience they often give generously in other ways. But I’m willing to wager that most of us in this room can afford a cup of coffee at Tim Hortons at least three times a week. If that’s you, then I’m going to be bold and say that most likely you’d be able to contribute at least that amount—whatever the cost of three cups of coffee at Tim Hortons ($5?)—to the church on a weekly basis.  

Now, there’s always the real temptation not to give. It’s tempting to think: Oh, other people in our congregation will pick up the financial slack; we just came out of a very successful campaign; it’s not that big of a deal; won’t God always provide? I think this is the temptation to take for granted others as the church’s financial safety net. It’s a bit like one of the temptations that Jesus faces in today’s Gospel. The story appears just before he delivered the Sermon on the Mount. He’s alone in the desert, fighting off temptations to turn his back on his messianic identity. In one of the temptations, he finds himself at the highest peak of the Temple, and he’s challenged to jump and give it all up because—so the temptation goes—God’s angels will always be there as a safety net. That may in fact be so. But the temptation is to take it for granted, especially when we’ve been called to do something important. Taking for granted that the church will always get the money it needs, especially when we don’t give consideration to how we might participate financially in our church’s life—that is a temptation to be resisted.  

Why would you, or anyone, want to give money to this particular church? The short answer is because you value St. Aidan’s, what it stands for, and what it does. People support things financially that they value—such as their own homes. You do your best to keep your fridge and pantry well stocked. If lightbulbs are out, you buy new ones; if the furnace stops working, you pay for repairs (or you call the landlord). In a very real way, this building is also your home—a shared spiritual home—where you come with others to pray, to learn, to be supported, to be inspired to live differently and love more deeply. But there are other reasons why giving financially to St. Aidan’s makes so much sense, beyond just helping to keep the lights on in this building.  

This church is valuable because of what it does. It’s a beacon of light and hope. It transforms lives. Let me give you some examples. Last Tuesday at our pancake supper we had a great turnout. Toward the end some people were lingering at the tables, so I went around and introduced myself to get to know them a bit. One young woman—I’ll say her name is Julia—told me that she’s new to the neighborhood. She’s totally dependent on food banks. She discovered us because of our Out of the Cold meals and our community lunches. When she found out we were holding a pancake supper, she was elated. A man at another table—I’ll call him Donald—told me he’s been to St. Aidan’s many times. “Whenever you serve a meal,” he said, “I’m grateful to be here.” There are many times when we are the difference between someone going to bed with gnawing hunger and going to bed full. That’s why this church is worth supporting financially.  

Another example: several years ago, before the pandemic and the renovation, a young man came into this church. He had been raised an Anglican from day one, baptized and confirmed. But his faith never really deepened. As he got older, church only remained a part of his life because he liked to sing. After he started coming to St. Aidan’s, he asked Lucy Reid if she could recommend some books that would help him learn more about Jesus. He devoured what she gave him, and that led him to embark on a journey of reading the entire Bible, cover to cover. He also connected with our deacon Michael Van Dusen and got involved with the Ignatian spirituality retreats that Michael helps facilitate for men with addictions. Fast forward to today: he’s as active as ever in our church, and he’s in the process of formation to become an ordained deacon. I’m speaking about Michael Barrett (and he gave me permission to tell his story). He shared with me on Ash Wednesday just how significant and important St. Aidan’s has been in his own spiritual development and recovery. That’s something to celebrate, and I dare say it’s yet another reason why giving financially to this church is so worthwhile. This church helps to change lives.  

One more example: many months ago a person showed up here during the week asking for a grocery gift card—I’ll call her Audrey. I got to know her a bit and heard about her many struggles. Audrey kept coming back to the church, hoping to get more gift cards. And then she started showing up to church services. It was during this time that a couple of people here—and I won’t name them—conncected with Audrey and took her under their wing. They drove her to special doctor’s appointments and even went with her to the supermarket to buy her groceries. Audrey’s health is frail, and when they didn’t see her at church, they would go to her home and check on her. They became contemporary Good Samaritans. And this isn’t a story that’s over; it’s ongoing. They’ve gotten to know and love Audrey, and their lives are dedicated to supporting her. I tell this story because it illustrates the character of this congregation. There’s a lot of care here. It’s one more reason why you might consider giving financially to everything we’re about.  

So, that’s my Sermon on the Amount. $240,000. The only way to get there is dollar by dollar, week by week. Let’s not fall for the temptation to leave it all to others. If we call St. Aidan’s home, we’re all invited to contribute whatever we’re able.