I have a falconry apprentice who is training his first bird. He has been telling me from day one that there is a step in the training to which he is not looking forward. The day will come when he must unclip the line to let the bird fly free once again. Now to us seasoned falconers it’s—well, it’s still a big deal. When you unclip the line you never really know what is going to happen. Another friend of mine trained a kestrel perfectly—it had mastered every stage of the process. The moment it was unclipped it looked over its shoulder and flew away! But the risk is necessary: An over-trained bird becomes a beggar that will do nice tricks for treats, but its nature as a hunter has been suppressed rather than enhanced. And so, we learn to take a risk.

Taking a risk is a stewardship of capacity. It is a banking of one’s abilities and resources against an undefined moment. We do it in business. Every business venture utilizes a business plan that identifies the risks and manages them appropriately in light of our abilities and our resources (except for investment bankers!) We do it in recreation. We go places we've never been before, we see things we've never seen before, we try things we've never tried before. We go looking for experiences, no matter what the risk. We save money and plan, we study maps and budgets, we buy special equipment, and perhaps learn special skills, and so we manage the risk, but we take them nonetheless. Some of our riskiest behavior is in relationships. We jump into relationships too soon, we push intimacy too soon, and we jump out of them too soon. But nonetheless, somehow, plan or no plan, we jump!

However, we do not like to take risks in church. We want to be comforted, not challenged. We want to do what feels good, not what feels scary. We don't want to get excited, we wouldn't want to risk losing heaven. But in today’s Gospel lesson Jesus challenges our eagerness for safety. The parable of the Talents hinges on taking risks. In it there are only two choices: 1) You can risk, do what you can with what you have. The difference between 2 and 5 is insignificant, both doubled their money, both are rewarded equally. What you stand to gain is the affirmation of the Master—not for the amount gained, but for the faithful stewardship of your capacity. 2) Or you can be safe, take measures to assure that nothing is changed, nothing is lost. Do not take the risk, do not trust, do not open up. What you stand to gain is the condemnation of the Master. Loose what you do have, what you were given, and be left with nothing at all, for it will be taken and given to someone who was willing to risk. It really boils down to reaping what we sow: Sow faithfulness--reap increase. Sow faithlessness--reap decrease.

Faithfulness, then, is not about sameness. It is about taking risks, risking what we have been entrusted, and trusting that we do not walk alone. The first step, then, is to learn to apply risk management to the faith. We have to assess our resources. The first resource we have is Heaven. Who is this Father in Heaven who has entrusted to us all that we have and are? Is He not the one who created heaven and earth and all that is in them? Is He not the one who owns the cattle on 1000 hills? Is He not the one who loves us so much that He sent His Son to seal our redemption?

The second resource we have is the Church, the community of faith, its talents, its resources, its call, its work, and it’s potential. The greatest resource is the Holy Spirit. We are the Body of Christ—the Holy Spirit is among us when we gather in Christ’s name. Without the Holy Spirit nothing can be done, with the Holy Spirit we can do anything necessary. The Spirit would teach us the economics of Heaven. There is a great little book written by a friend of mine during the Reagan administration called Heavenomics. In it he tells stories about the generosity of those who have not, and the hard-heartedness of those who have. He tells story after story of how the money seemed to multiply as needed like loaves and fish, to meet the need. It proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that where God guides God provides. The normal principles of money management just don’t seem to apply in the Kingdom in the same way. This doesn’t mean we can be irresponsible with what we have, but that the bottom line in the long run is not in our hands, but God’s.

Then you need to assess your capacities, your talents. The parable talks about each of us receiving talents. In the final analysis, the number of talents doesn’t matter, it’s what you do with what you have. So the first thing is to find out what you have. What are your interests? What are your talents and spiritual gifts? (Course 3 of the Discovery Series will help you with this one.) What are your areas of expertise? What is your monthly budget? Then, make a plan. Take a look at each resource you have. How are you employing it right now? What does that say about your faith, your commitments, your loyalties and your choices? What changes need to take place to make them reflect your faith in Jesus Christ more clearly? Then sit down and make a plan on how you are going to employ the talents God has entrusted to you.

Work your plan: Set timelines and deadlines. Set evaluation moments. Identify little rewards to encourage you on the path. Create reminders that will keep your plan in your focus of attention. And then commit yourself to it prayerfully and intentionally. Now is a time of the year when we talk about the finances of the church for the coming year. You have received, or will receive, a pledge card in the mail. It will ask you for a commitment of time, talent and treasure to the ministry of this parish. If you didn’t receive one please see any member of the Vestry or myself. The Bible teaches that a tithe given to the local congregation in which one worships is what God asks of us. Why? Because a tithe is small enough to do and big enough to require some planned risk. It's OK to feel a little scared. It’s just not good to act out of your fear. Instead, consider prayerfully, plan carefully, and then work faithfully.

I end this sermon with this little personal testimony every year, but it’s because you need to hear it. Karisse and I tithe. We’ve done it for many years now. We do it because that’s what God asks of us. Inevitably, if I wait to the end of the month I have to double up the next month because we ran out of money. But if I give at the beginning of the month there is usually money left over at the end. Go figure! You try to explain it. All I say is that heavenomics works.

Fr. Paul Moore+