Growing Disciples Monthly Reflections are written by a variety of leaders across our synod; as such, the language reflects the individual's personal theology. We give thanks to Pastor-Elect Lindsay Fertig-Johnson, the Northern Illinois Synod Generosity Director and Associate Pastor at New Life in Bolingbrook for her reflection.
Nest Café is a restaurant in Rock Island, IL, that healthy, serves locally sourced meals for the community. At first, you might think that Nest Café is like any other place to eat, that is until you go to order. Unlike most restaurants, you will not find prices on their menu. Instead, there is a sign that reads:
Pockets Full? Donate More.
Pockets Light? Donate Less.
Pockets Empty? Donate your time.
This simple invitation, to give out of abundance or to receive with dignity when in need, captures the heart of discipleship. It reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the rich landowner and his overflowing barns (Luke 12:16-21). In the story, the landowner ends up with such an abundance of crops that his barns can’t hold it all. Instead of sharing with his neighbors, he contemplates tearing down his barns to build bigger ones to store everything away.
Through this parable Jesus reminds us that life is not found in what we store up for ourselves. The tragedy of the landowner is not his abundance. It was that he could not see beyond himself. He could not recognize that his overflowing barns could bless his community and feed his neighbors in need.
In God’s economy, riches are not measured by how much we store up for ourselves, but by how we share with one another. Sometimes our pockets or our barns are full: financially, emotionally, spiritually, and we can give generously to others. Other times, our barns feel empty, and we need the community to carry us.
Both seasons are holy. Both giving and receiving are part of what it means to follow Jesus. And no matter our circumstances, we are always invited to give what we can. Even if we have little materially, we can still give our time, our prayers, our attention, and our love. Everyone has something to contribute to our communities, and no one is ever too poor to be invited to participate in giving back.
I saw this in a very real way when I began discerning that it was finally time to attend seminary. One of my biggest questions was how I would afford it. Through the generosity of others, the ELCA’s Fund for Leaders scholarship made it possible. Someone I don’t know, and likely will never meet, looked at the abundance in their own barn and chose to invest in my future. They weren’t physically with me during those early (and I mean early) morning study sessions, but in a very real way, they were there in every paper I wrote, every prayer I prayed, and every class I attended.
During seminary there were so many times where my barn felt empty, but I learned that even if I couldn’t give financially, I could still share the most valuable resource I had: my time. I used my time and served on various committees (both at the seminary and within organizations I cared about). I donated artwork I had made and photography sessions so that they could be auctioned off for causes that I felt called to serve. I tried, as best as I could, to give of the resources I had at the time, grateful for the way someone gave of their resources so I could go to seminary.
What I realized through these experiences is how generosity connects us to ministry and service that impact what we care about, even when we are not physically present or doing the work ourselves. Every small act, every shared gift, joins us to the Body of Christ in action. Generosity binds us to a larger mission, allowing us to participate in the work of mercy, justice, and love, and extending far beyond what we could do alone.
For the past several months, the Northern Illinois Synod has been working to raising money for ELCA World Hunger. Since March, our hope has been to secure $100,000 that would be matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor. What at first seemed like a challenge is becoming possible because, together, we are able to accomplish far more than we could have on our own.
Through the contributions from congregations and individuals in our synod, we have been able to come together to address hunger and food insecurity both around the corner and across the globe. While we may not be physically present, we are making an impact by ensuring local food pantries are stocked, meal ministries can serve those in need, and community programs provide resources and support to strengthen communities across the U.S. Our generosity also supports sustainable agriculture, clean water projects, and community health initiatives worldwide, reminding us that even from afar we are present in God’s work.
All of this reminds me that generosity isn’t just about what or how much we give. Together, we can do far more than we could on our own. Generosity is about giving when we can and being present in God’s work, even when we cannot be there in person.
As you look at your own barn today, I encourage you to think back to the sign at Nest Café and ask yourself: Who might be in need of the gifts you have stored up?
Is your barn full? Give fully.
Is your barn light? Give a little.
Is your barn feeling empty? Give of your time, your attention, your prayers, or your encouragement. Even when it feels like there’s little to offer, God can use what we have to make a difference.
We all give. We all receive. Even when our barns feel empty, we still have gifts to share. And through those gifts, whether big or small, seen or unseen, we are part of God’s work in the world, sustaining one another and ensuring that no one is left without.
