Keep It Simple, Silly

Last night I stopped in at Fresh Market, a grocery store that happens to be just a few doors down from the Church.  All the checkout stands had bags of groceries lined up at the end of the counters. 

Being the nosy inquisitive type, I immediately started asking questions.

Here’s the deal.  They fill paper bags with either $5 or $10 worth of very basic shelf-stable food.  Then, as people go through the lines, they have the opportunity to purchase one of the bags and donate it to the Food Bank. 

Yesterday was the 2^nd day of their project, and they were already working on their 9^th barrel of groceries. 

By making it easy for people to share their resources, Fresh Market is fostering both awareness and community involvement,  and ultimately  making   a huge difference for others who are in desperate need.  That is Stewardship in action.

So, what can we learn from this experience? 

1.  Stewardship doesn’t have to be a big deal.  If it's easy, it will happen.  One or two small actions is all it takes.

2.  Stewardship doesn’t belong exclusively to religious organizations.  There are people everywhere from all walks of life who are helping others and providing opportunities for us to help, one person at a time.

3.  It's amazing how much can be accomplished when each of us does a tiny bit. 

Did you know we have our own little food pantry in the gathering space at the back of the Church?  Granted, it takes a little more thought, because we are on our own to actually bring something. And if you're anything like me, well...let's just say that I'm doing good if I get here on time, let alone having to remember to bring something with me when I come.

But what if there were ways to make it a no-brainer?

Make it easy.  How about consciously buying a few dollars’ worth of non-perishable food on every trip to the grocery store?  Then leave them in the car.  Ahha! We wouldn't have to remember to get them when we're already running late.

Make it a no-brainer.  If we did that consistently every time we shopped for groceries, it would soon become a habit.  Then we wouldn't even need to engage our brains. 

And if all of us did that?  Well, just think of the difference we could make.

What ideas to you have to make stewardship a no-brainer?