Stewardship: Part of Your Christian Duty
December 7, 2010
In times of sadness and physical or spiritual need, we are glad to have our parish family to support us. All Saints is our spiritual home, but like our physical home, All Saints needs our support of money, time, and talent to keep it strong so it will be there when we need it.
You have read in the bulletin over the past few weeks, and you have heard from the vestry and Father Chip, about tithing and giving of your talent and time to our parish. You have learned what the monetary needs of our parish are if it is to continue to do the Lord’s work on earth. You have learned how your gifts of time and talent help the vestry make the budget go further. Soon you will receive this year’s stewardship pledge materials. As you are considering how you will help All Saints in the coming year, we ask you to remember what you have learned about tithing:
- Is tithing optional? No, and if you do not tithe (traditionally this means giving a tenth of all you have), you are only cheating yourself. Malachi 3:8-10 asks “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse. For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”
- Does tithing have to be a burden? No, and it shouldn’t be. We often save for something we want…a new car…new clothes…a flat screen television. Why not do the same for God? In Corinthians 16:2 it says, “On the first day of every week each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper so there will be no collecting when I come.”
- Is tithing just about giving money? Yes and no. Giving of the time and talents that the Lord has blessed you with can also be a part of your tithe, or you can give of your time and talents in addition to your tithe. Additionally tithing should not be viewed as a “tax” but as another way we worship God. Through our tithes we recognize that God actually owns all we have.
Ultimately what you decide to do is between you and God. All we ask is that you prayerfully consider how much God has blessed you in your life. The Lord has many more blessings in store for you, but when you give Him less than what is His by right, He cannot give you all that He wishes for you.
As the Bible clearly enjoins us:
Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And you vats will overflow with new wine. —Proverbs 3:9-10
Comments
Got something to say?
