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[EMAIL LINK]What is Stewardship?
The practice of the Stewardship is a grateful response to our deep heartfelt desire to give something back to God in Thanksgiving for all we have received, including the gift of life itself. "As Christian stewards, we are called to receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord." (U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Letter on Stewardship)
We must ask ourselves, what do I give back to God for the many blessings I have received? Psalm 116:12
Stewardship is:
Planned- The decision to give of your time, talent and treasure is just that - a decision. It requires thought and time, so that it is integrated with other decisions as part of our careful, intentional response to God's generosity.
Proportionate- Part of our planning ensures that we give the "first fruits" or best portion, those gifts given first and not whatever is leftover after other obligations have been satisfied. Our giving should be proportionate and commensurate to what God has given each of us. Most people use the biblical concept of the tithe, a tenth, as a guide. In any case, our gift should reflect our level of gratefulness to God.
"As soon as the word spread, the people of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and all of the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything." 2 Chronicles 31:5
Sacrificial - Our proportionate gift becomes sacrificial when it comes from our substance rather than our abundance. When we give out of our substance, we are changed in the process. We have given away something we thought we needed for ourselves, thus changing our lifestyle. We have acted on the belief of our faith that our security lies not simply in our material resources but in God Himself.
Time & Talent- Our gifts of money do not substitute for gifts of time and talent. Neither do time and talent substitute for giving of financial resources. All are gifts from God. Just as in giving money, giving of our time and talent expresses our gratitude to the God who has given us these gifts. Consider what portion of your time and talent you will give to God this year.
Stewardship is a necessary expression of our faith, of what we say we believe.
Take the next step towards Stewardship as a way of life!