God multiplies our gifts

by Wendy Habel

‘Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered’ (Proverbs 11:25).

How do you motivate yourself? How do you do something day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year?

It may not be exactly the same, but as I have found over the years since becoming a member of Lutheran Women of Australia (LWA), women have become very adept at fundraising for projects across the Lutheran Church.

Time is a God-given privilege; it is measured out in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks and years by the grace of God. He alone knows how much time we have and when he will call us to our heavenly home.

There is a catchcry among some women: ‘I’ll help. If I find time to help with the Lord’s work, I can be pretty sure he’ll give me the time to finish what I have to do!’ This is the motivation I see in the faces of beautiful ladies as I have travelled in my role on the LWA executive.

Each state serves on the executive for a three-year term and we have 11 projects to support through fundraising. These include Aboriginal Missions; Australian Lutheran World Service; LCA International Mission programs and partnerships in Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand; support for overseas students studying at Australian Lutheran College (ALC); the ALC Women’s Auxiliary and the ALC Pastoral Ministry Assistance Fund.

Between January 2019 and December 2020 an inspirational total of $251,924.15 was raised. Even during COVID-19 LWA women have continued in their support. Innovative fundraising activities have included ‘cakeless stalls’, brown-wrapped auctions, catering for fellowship luncheons and high teas, and giving through knitted or crocheted rugs, toys, children’s clothing and beanies for all ages.

We are privileged to serve and when each women’s fellowship gives – no matter how much or little – God multiplies our gifts and these monetary amounts are used to support many needs. Each state has projects, too, and these are also supported generously.

Leonie from the Bethlehem Ladies Fellowship in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, sums up the women’s attitude to serving and giving in a quote from the Lutheran Women magazine article ‘Busy hands and thankful hearts’: ‘Being able to give so many items to those in need … is a double blessing. Our prayer is that we can continue to do our “work” in his name.’

It’s important to remember we are all special in God’s sight, not because of our talents and skills but because we are filled with the Spirit, which is how we serve God’s purpose.

Wendy Habel is Lutheran Women of Australia President.

LWA is an auxiliary of the LCA. Lutheran Women magazine is issued bi-monthly in print and digital editions and is available at https://lutheranwomenofaustralia.org/ or through LCA Subscriptions via phone 08 8360 7270 or email: lutheranwomen.subs@lca.org.au