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Stewardship
- What its all about The
Stewardship Program is a way for Orthodox Christians to meet Church obligations with
responsibility, dignity and equity. Ø It is the only way to participate totally in
the work and mission of the Church. Ø It is the only way through which the support
of our Church becomes a matter of conscience instead of coercion. Ø It is the only way that considers the
support of the Church as a personal obligation and a matter of commitment. Ø It is the only way we are able to escape
assessments and endless requests for support. Ø It is the only way the Church is able to
meet the needs of its faithful now and in the future based purely on Christian
principles. At the
core of any Stewardship Program, are the stewards of the Church. A good steward is neither
a miser nor a spendthrift. A good steward is not one who economizes but one who is a good
manager of what has been entrusted to him. If we believe that we come into this world with
nothing and leave this world with nothing, then we must admit that all we have during our
lifetime belongs to someone else. That someone is God - to whom belongs everything. We
have only been entrusted with it to manage it here on earth to the best of our ability. A
closer look at the parable of the talents tells us very clearly that a good manager and a
good steward will earn both success on earth and favor with God. As members of an Orthodox
Christian parish, we have, by our own choice, undertaken a responsibility to become
managers or stewards of this parish. That is, to love it, care for it, be concerned about
it, support it and promote its Christian work and mission. How well we accomplish these
acts of Stewardship will determine our success as Christian Stewards. In order
to successfully manage the spiritual and material aspects of the parish, we have to give
of our time, our talents and our material wealth. There is nothing else we can give. We
must give enough of all three to assure the smooth operation of the parish so the
spiritual, educational, cultural, social and philanthropic needs of our parish are met.
Do you
think for one moment our Lord expected anything in return for that act of giving toward
that man? Hardly! Jesus simply received the joy that can only be felt by giving to those
in need. We have
talked and heard about our parish's plan for giving - the Stewardship Commitment that
seems to have confused so many people. Lord knows why people are confused... the message
is pure and simple. We give with the attitude of how much we can give... not with the
attitude of how much should we give, or how much did so and so give. Only God can judge
those who do not give their fair share to those who need it... only God, not us. God knows
what it means to be a giver... He has given us life, eternal life, victory over death,
peace, hope, direction, everything we have! God is the authority in giving, we have His
example to follow. As we
offer prayers this morning during the Consecration of our Holy Gifts - let us stop and ask
our Lord to enlighten our hearts and minds as to the true meaning of giving ... erasing
the selfish obstacles that prevent us from giving what we should and how we should...
totally and unselfishly. Amen. |
