Some Thoughts on Stewardship
No one likes to think about money when in church, no one wants to hear again and again about our church’s needs and the reasons to increase one’s level of giving, but sometimes the issue must be addressed!
Why Do We Give? Here are some reasons:
STEWARDSHIP AS INVESTMENT
The motive or reasoning behind this approach seems to be: “Give and God will bless you---the Christian steward is one who expects his/her giving to be met by God’s giving.”
STEWARDSHIP AS CRISIS MANAGEMENT
The motive here seems to be: “Give because the church has pressing needs (new roof, pay raise for the pastor, helping others in a natural disaster)---the Christian steward is one whose giving responds to a crisis.”
STEWARDSHIP AS DUTY
The reasoning here seems to be: “Give because it’s your duty---the Christian steward is one who shoulders his/her fair share of the organizational load.”
STEWARDSHIP AS GRATITUDE
The motive behind this approach seems to be: “Give because God already has given to you abundantly---the Christian steward is one who gives in response to the conviction that all things come as gifts from God.”
Why do YOU give? Where do you see yourself in the reasons for giving above? Is one of these approaches better than another? Most folks’ reasons for giving may be different at different times, but are probably a combination of all four. The very best reason for giving has to be gratitude, and that’s the one for which we all should be striving.
STEWARDSHIP PRAYER (From the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, California)
My church is composed of people like me.
I help to make it what it is.
It will be friendly if I am.
It will be holy if I am.
Its pews will be filled if I help fill them.
It will do great work if I work.
It will be prayerful if I pray.
It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am a generous giver.
It will bring others into its worship if I bring them.
It will be a church of loyalty and love, of compassion and charity and mercy, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things.
Therefore, with the help of God, I now dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be.