Tessera Materials

Opening Prayer

God of every land and nation,
you have created all people
and you dwell among us in Jesus Christ.
Bring healing to all wounds,
make whole all that is broken,
speak truth to all illusion,
and shed light in every darkness,
that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. Amen.

Scripture

Psalm 112:1-10 NIV
Praise the LORD. Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands. [2] Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. [3] Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. [4] Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. [5] Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. [6] Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. [7] They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. [8] Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. [9] They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor. [10] The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

*If children are present with you we recommend also reading from God's Big Picture Bible Storybook The Man in the Tree, page 190, Luke 19. Ask your children what stands out to them in this story and how they believe Jesus wants us to live in light of this story.

Reflection & Discussion

Blessed are those who find great delight in God’s commands. In our modern Western culture, it often seems far more appealing to play the role of the James Dean–style “rebel without a cause” than to delight in living under someone else’s instruction.

Yet in the Hebrew imagination, God’s commands are not burdens but gifts that bring life and renewal. They hold the world together, keeping it from slipping back into a formless, chaotic void. God’s instructions are acts of mercy, given so his people might live as salt and light in the world to both participate in preserving and renewing.

Much of this instruction is distilled in verse 5 and 9 of this psalm: Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; God’s righteousness is made visible through lives marked by generosity—open hearts and open hands that give and lend freely to those in need. Money was to be lent among the people without collection of interest. Portions of fields were to be left open for the foreigner and others in need. Debt release was made available every 7 years. This way of life invites a holy vulnerability, one that leaves us unable to secure ourselves with wealth and instead calls us to rely on God’s provision in all things.

The wealth promised to those who delight in God’s instructions is not limited to money. It is a deeper kind of richness: inner stability formed through trusting God, relationships nurtured through loving community, and the experience of God’s saving presence as we live within his ways.

• What do you find compelling about the Hebrew vision that understands God’s instructions as an act of mercy—for you and for the world?
• As you share together, reflect on your own journey of struggle and growth in living with open hearts and hands toward others. In what ways have you had to step in to a holy vulnerability? In what ways has this way of life produced “riches” in your life? Remember, these riches may include financial provision, but they also extend far beyond it.

Closing Prayer

O God of light,
your searching Spirit reveals and illumines
your presence in creation.
Shine your radiant holiness into our lives,
that we may offer our hands and hearts to your work:
to heal and shelter,
to feed and clothe,
to break every yoke and silence evil tongues. Amen.

Giving Update

Budget YTD Need: $100,161
Budget YTD Giving: $101,623