In the old road runner cartoons, it seemed as if no matter how hard the coyote tried, no matter what scheme he devised, no matter how devious he was in attempting to catch the road runner … the road runner always got away. There is at least one episode, however, in which the coyote does catch the road runner. As the two characters are running, they go through a pipe that gets successively narrower. When they come through the pipe, they are both smaller. The coyote gets the idea to have them run back through the pipe, so that he can catch the road runner the moment he comes out, still small. Only problem is that the road runner goes first … and goes back to his original size. Of course something goes wrong with the coyote's size transformation and he remains small. The end of the cartoon has him putting up two signs, the first: "Ok wise guys, you always wanted me to catch him." And then, "Now what do I do?"

On this day that we celebrate Stewardship, I am reminded of that cartoon. Episode after episode the coyote tries to catch the road runner … and then when he finally does, it is under circumstances that daunt him, and he doesn't know what to do with his catch. I suspect it is a bit like that with us and stewardship. We devise all sorts of ways to figure out programs and methods to take care of the ministry that God has entrusted us with in the hope that one day we will figure it all out and reach the goal.

More aptly we probably should be portrayed as the miniature coyote holding on to the giant road runner's leg, asking a question similar to the road runner: Ok God, we are here, what do we do? For I believe that we have everything we need – God would not leave us without the resources. We may fail to recognize what we have, or be daunted by the task set in front of us … but we have everything we need to do the work God has entrusted to us.

The disciples found themselves in that same place. In this morning's gospel text they are out plying their trade. And as everyone who has spent any time fishing, sometimes the fish just aren't there. No matter what the tides and weather conditions point to – the fish just refuse to co-operate. The soon-to-be disciples found themselves in that place. They had been fishing all night with nothing to show for it. They finally call it a night and are on the shore scrubbing their nets and boats clean. Then Jesus climbs aboard and tells them to put out a ways on the lake and to drop their nets. With a bit of skepticism they do … and find their nets are full to the breaking point. I can imagine them uttering much like the road runner – daunted by the amount of their catch – what will we do with all these fish? Jesus basically tells them – you think this is a lot of fish, you haven't seen anything yet … wait till you see what will happen when I send you out to fish for people.

There is much to say about managing the resources that we have been given. John Wesley had a few things to say about such. He is perhaps best known for the following: "Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can. He lived his stewardship consistently: "As a student at Oxford, Wesley lived on 28 pounds. He earned 30 pounds, so he gave away two pounds. As his earnings increased, he continued to live on the same 28 pounds. When he earned 120 pounds he gave away 92 pounds. He told people that if at his death he had more than 10 pounds in his possession, they could call him a robber. Methodist historian Richard Heitzenrater writes that at his death, Wesley was borne to his grave by six paupers, who were paid one pound each, thus depleting his resources. Even the draperies used in the memorial service were taken down, sewn into dresses and distributed to poor women in London. ("Giving from a Weselyan Perspective," a study paper by Bishop Kenneth L. Carder, page 6)

As United Methodists we have inherited a rich tradition about managing our resources so that we better reach out to those in need. Wesley's sermon "The Use of Money," lays out the basis of how we are to distribute our wealth and fulfill our stewardship. I commend that sermon to your reading – the web version of this sermon contains a link to it. (Click here.)

As stewards in a position of privilege, John Wesley reminds us that we are called to evaluate everything we do in terms of the impact our actions will have on the poor and needy. I am particularly struck by his use of the term "begging." We use that term pejoratively, as did the people of Wesley's time. It is something people do because they are not strong enough, or good enough, or haven't managed their resources well. We speak disparagingly of the beggars on the streets of our cities, and see around the world the pictures of people begging in the slums for their daily bread. In our position of privilege we speak of the funds we raise and the items we collect as our mission work … and it is. Yet, in solidarity with Christ's poor, Wesley spoke of his mission work as begging. In his journal passage dated January 4, 1785, at the age of 82 he writes: "At this season we usually distribute coals and bread among the poor of the society. But I now considered, they wanted clothes, as well as food. So on this, and the four following days, I walked through the town and begged 200 pounds, in order to clothe them that needed it most." We too are beggars for God's people in our mission work.

There is much to say about managing resources, how we invest, how we raise money and so on … but first we have to realize that stewardship is about our relationship to God and to God's people. In that task we may feel sometimes like the road runner … mostly chasing around a target that seems elusive and unreachable … once in a while catching the critter, but then not knowing what to do with it. We forget that God has given us all that we need … not only to us as individuals, but to the world. It is up to us to figure out how to manage what we have so that all can have enough. Stewardship is not about how much we ourselves have to give … but about how much God has give us and how much the world needs what we have to share. Jesus showed the disciples the world set before them – in the huge catch of fish representing the people that hungered for the Word they would share.

As we celebrate our Stewardship today, we are reminded that it is not primarily about being loyal to The United Methodist Church of Red Bank, but ultimately about being loyal to God's calling us. Like the disciples we see the huge catch of "fish," – a world that waits for us. And like the disciples we are sent out in the name of Jesus Christ to fish for people.