Stewardship 2006

Seven Stewardship Questions and Answers

What is stewardship?

Stewardship is what you do with your life after you say "Yes" to Jesus Christ. It is how you live out the faith.

How does stewardship relate to money?

Stewardship includes all of life, including time, talents, and treasures.

How does stewardship relate to giving offerings at church?

One of the most important ways to respond to God's gifts of his Son is by showing joyful generosity in our tithes and offerings.

What Bible verses relate to stewardship?

Many, but two good ones are: 2 Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9 John 3:16

What does John 3:16 have to do with giving?

"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son …" Therefore we are called to live our faith by giving. St. Paul said that we are to give because out of God's unspeakable grace he gave us his indescribable gifts (2 Cor. 9:14-15).

What is the motivation for giving?

There are many, but the three most often mentioned ones are:

1. Duty it is the believer's responsibility to give. See

Malachi 3:8-10.

2. Opportunity - it is for a good cause ... I believe in what the

church is doing. See 2 Corinthians 8:1-7.

3. Joyful Generosity -- "Each man should give what he has

decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under

compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. "(2Cor.9:7). 2

Corinthians 8:2 says: "Out of the most severe trial, their

overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich

generosity. "

What is this "No-nonsense" approach to stewardship?

Christians are called to give. Some give more, some less, but all are called to give generously and proportionately as St. Paul says . . . "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. " (2 Cor. 9:6). First fruit proportionate giving means setting aside a portion (5 percent, 6 percent, 7 percent, 8 percent, 10 percent, 12 percent or more) of your income for the Lord's work first. Giving 10percent is called tithing. Tithing is a biblical standard for giving.

St. Paul writes: "Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (1 Cor.16:1-2).

"Yes, but ... "

• "I'm retired." You, too, can give, as you are able.

• "I'm a teenager." If you are confirmed, you are an adult member of the church; you can give too.

• "I'm not a member." You too can pledge. Even if you are a non-member, you are receiving God's blessings through His church.

• "I'd rather just give, not pledge." You can do that, but you are more likely to give God leftovers that way. God deserves first fruits, not leftovers. Trust God to provide for your needs, even your pledge.

• "I don't have much." Pledge and give what you can. No one expects you to do more than you can give. Our all-knowing God knows our circumstances.

Excerpt from “Giving hilariously: No-nonsense stewardship” by The Rev. Ronald Lavin.