Why Become a Steward?
This site serves as a consolidated resource of all the messages distributed to the parish as part of the "Theology of Giving" series for our 2016 stewardship campaign.
Theology of Giving Series – Week 48 – November 27, 2016
Ephesians 4:1-4 … I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. There is one body and one hope, that belongs to your call.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 47 – November 20, 2016
2 Corinthians 8: 8-9 … “I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 46 – November 13, 2016
Psalm 50: 10-12 … “For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 45 – November 6, 2016
Word, February, 2003, “Stewardship,” Nick Hathaway … “Saint Nicholas’ life is one of the foremost examples of Christian stewardship. One well-known story of stewardship from the life of Saint Nicholas tells us how Nicholas saved a young woman from slavery. Her father, a widowed nobleman, had fallen into poverty. Although his three daughters had many suitors, they could not marry because he was too poor to provide them with the dowry that a bride was expected to bring to her marriage. The eldest daughter decided to sell herself as a slave in order to raise money for her sisters’ dowries. Nicholas heard about the women’s circumstance. Secretly, in the dark of the night, he lowered a small bag of gold through an open window in the eldest daughter’s room. With the dowry that Nicholas had provided, she was able to marry. On two other nights, Nicholas secretly provided the two remaining daughters with dowries of their own.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 44 – October 30, 2016
Word, February, 2003, “Stewardship,” Nick Hathaway … When we stand in church, we stand among a gallery of stewards. Everywhere you look you will see the face of a steward. On the iconostasis there are many stewards. In fact, all of the saints were stewards. Their lives stand as models for all of us.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 43 – October 23, 2016
Hebrews 6: 4-6 … “Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received the tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 42 – October 16, 2016
Luke 11:42 … “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 41 – October 9, 2016
2 Chronicles 31: 5 … “As soon as the commandment was circulated, the children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of grain and wine, oil and honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 40 – October 2, 2016
Deuteronomy 14:23 … “And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 39 – September 25, 2016
Deuteronomy 14:22 … “You shall tithe all the yield of your seed, which comes forth from the field year by year.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 38 – September 18, 2016
Matthew 13: 22 … “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 37 – September 11, 2016
Luke 6: 38 … “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 36 – September 4, 2016
Again, Fall, 2005, “The Trial of the Tithe,” Fr. Thomas ZellA search of the patristic writings will uncover these and more quotes regarding the issue of tithing. The New Catholic Encyclopedia summarizes this by saying … “The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law, and early writers speak of it as a divine ordinance and an obligation of conscience. The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the canons of the Council of Macon in 585.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 35 – August 28, 2016
Weeks 32 to 36 come from Again, Fall, 2005, “The Trial of the Tithe,” Fr. Thomas ZellFrom St. John Cassian, The Conferences, Chapter XXIX … “He who retains his goods of this world, or, bound by the rules of the old law, distributes the tithe of his produce, and his first fruits, or a portion of his income, although he may to a considerable degree quench the fire of his sins by this dew of almsgiving, yet, however generously he gives away his wealth, it is impossible for him altogether to rid himself of the dominion of sin, unless perhaps by the grace of the Savior, together with his substance he gets rid of all love of possessing.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 34 – August 21, 2016
Weeks 32 to 36 come from Again, Fall, 2005, “The Trial of the Tithe,” Fr. Thomas Zell
From Saint John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians … “Woe to him, it is said, who doeth not alms; and if this was the case under the Old Covenant, much more is it under the New. If, where the getting of wealth was allowed and the enjoyment of it, and the care of it, there was such provision made for the succoring of the poor, how much more in that Dispensation, where we are commanded to surrender all we have? For what did not they of old do? They gave tithes, and tithes again upon tithes for orphans, widows, and strangers, whereas someone was saying to me in astonishment at another, ‘Why, such an one gives tithes.’ What a load of disgrace does this expression imply, since what was not a matter of wonder with the Jews has come to be so in the case of the Christians? If there was danger then in omitting tithes, think how great it must be now.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
From Saint John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians … “Woe to him, it is said, who doeth not alms; and if this was the case under the Old Covenant, much more is it under the New. If, where the getting of wealth was allowed and the enjoyment of it, and the care of it, there was such provision made for the succoring of the poor, how much more in that Dispensation, where we are commanded to surrender all we have? For what did not they of old do? They gave tithes, and tithes again upon tithes for orphans, widows, and strangers, whereas someone was saying to me in astonishment at another, ‘Why, such an one gives tithes.’ What a load of disgrace does this expression imply, since what was not a matter of wonder with the Jews has come to be so in the case of the Christians? If there was danger then in omitting tithes, think how great it must be now.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 33 – August 14, 2016
Weeks 32 to 36 come from Again, Fall, 2005, “The Trial of the Tithe,” Fr. Thomas ZellFrom the third-century document Didascalia Apostolorum … “Set aside part offerings and tithes and first fruits to Christ, the true High Priest, and to His ministers, even tithes of salvation to Him. . . . Today the oblations are offered through the bishops to the Lord God. For they are your high priests; but the priests and Levites are now the presbyters and deacons, and the orphans and widows. . . . Your fruits and the work of your hands present to him, that you may be blessed; your first fruits and your tithes and your vows and your part offerings give to him; for he has need of them that he may be sustained, and that he may dispense also to those who are in want, to each as is just for him.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 32 – August 7, 2016
Weeks 32 to 36 come from Again, Fall, 2005, “The Trial of the Tithe,” Fr. Thomas ZellFr. Thomas Zell … “One of my earliest childhood memories is of piling into the back of our family car on Sunday morning and heading off to our little Baptist church in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Along with ensuring that my brother and I were properly cleaned and dressed for the occasion, my father would always drop several coins into our hands, so that we in turn could drop them into the offering plate at church. Tithing was something Dad faithfully practiced all his life, and he wanted to make sure his sons followed suit. Having lived with this tradition for so long, and loving it so much, it is hard for me now to stop and look at it objectively. But since the concept has become somewhat an object of debate today, I would like to examine both the myth and the realities behind this practice, and to follow the trail of the tithe.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 31 – July 31, 2016
2 Thessalonians 2: 15-17 … “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may your Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 30 – July 24, 2016
Acts 4: 32-35 … “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 29 – July 17, 2016
Luke 12: 16-21 … “Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my corps? So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my corps and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 28 – July 10, 2016
Matthew 6: 28-34 … “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?
What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 27 – July 3, 2016
Corinthians 8: 10-15 … “And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack – that there may be equality. As it is written, ‘He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant? What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant? What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?
Theology of Giving Series – Week 26 – June 26, 2016
Hebrews 12: 22-24 … “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 25 – June 19, 2016
Colossians 1: 13 … “He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transformed us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 24 – June 12, 2016
Ephesians 5: 23-27, 29 … “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and Himself the Savior. As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 23 – June 5, 2016
Ephesians 3: 14-15 … “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 22 – May 29, 2016
John 10: 14-16 … “As the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 21 – May 22, 2016
John 15: 1, 5, 8 … “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 20 – May 15, 2016
Corinthians 12: 18, 25-27 … “But as it is, God arranged the organs in the body, each one of them, as he chose … that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 19 – May 8, 2016
Ephesians 2: 19-20 … “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being in cornerstone.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 18 – May 1, 2016
St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book IV, Chapter XVII, para. 2-3 … “And the class of oblations among the Jews and oblations in the church, but what has changed is those who offer, for the offer is now made not by slaves, but by free people.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 17 – April 24, 2016
Luke 12:48 … “But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 16 – April 17, 2016
In the Creed we recite during every Divine Liturgy, we say, “…And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures…” God’s ultimate sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son is our constant reminder of his unwavering love for us. We must acknowledge this love by our prayers, our conduct, and our deeds. Tithing, sacrificial giving, or proportional giving is but one of the many expressions of worship through which we can demonstrate our commitment to Our Lord’s word.
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 15 – April 10, 2016
from Tithing, Fr. Richard Ballew … “What is the tithe? Simply put, the tithe is a voluntary offering of ten percent of one’s income, given to God. That’s right, ten percent, taken off the top. In both Hebrew and Greek the word tithe comes directly from the word ten. It is a practice established long ago whereby God’s people have the opportunity to participate in the sacramentality of life by offering back a portion of what God has given to them, As such, tithing is more than just an act of obedience. It is an act of worship.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 14 – April 3, 2016
Luke, 12:27-31 … “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, ho w much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 13 – March 27, 2016
St. John Chrysostom, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Volume XIII, First Series, page 69 … “For what did not they of old do? They gave tithes, and tithes again upon tithes for orphans, widows, and strangers; whereas someone was saying to me in astonishment of another person, ‘Why, such a one gives tithes!’ What a load of disgrace does this imply, since what was not a matter of wonder with the Jews has come to be so in the case of the Christians? If there was a danger then in omitting tithes, think how great it must be now!”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 12 – March 20, 2016
Matthew 23: 23 … “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 11 – March 13, 2016
Luke 21: 1-4 … “And Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and he saw a certain poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all put their surplus into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 10 – March 6, 2016
Matthew 6: 19-21 … “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 9 – February 28, 2016
Luke 8: 14 … “And as for what fell among thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 8 – February 21, 2016
Psalm 24: 1-5 … “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon waters. Who may ascend into the hill and of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 7 – February 14, 2016
1 Corinthians 16: 2 … “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that contributions need not be made when I come.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Theology of Giving Series – Week 6 – February 7, 2016
Genesis 2: 15 … “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
“What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
Stewardship Corner – Week 5, January 31, 2016
Theology of Giving Series
For the past five weeks, we have started a journey that will last for one year. Next year at this time we will be reflecting on our efforts to inspire change in your charitable giving. We realize that fundamental change takes time. For the next year we hope you will join your fellow Parishioners in opening your minds and your hearts to all of the wisdom of God’s message to His children.
Attached to this website is a pledge form that you may fill out of you have not already done so. Please only fill it out and resubmit to us if the amount you have decided to give for this year has changed. Otherwise we will consider your pledge from last year to be the current amount you plan to donate this year. Remember the easiest and fastest way to donate is to go to our member portal website at:
https://www.peterpaulpotomac.org/member-portal.html. Instructions for how to use the portal are on the website, or you can stop by the Stewardship table after Church the second Sunday of every month to find out more.
For each of the next 47 weeks, we will print in our Church bulletin a scriptural passage that speaks to the manner in which God expects us to give. By reading and thinking about these passages, we hope all of us will become convinced that we not only need to give more of our time, talents, and resources to the Church, but we need to make these offerings with a new spirit.
Can two apparently contradictory ideas both be true? Sometimes this can be the case. On the one hand, it is true that the Church of God flourishes when its members are giving generously and cheerfully of their time, talents, and resources. In this sense, the Church needs what we have to offer. It is equally true that we need to offer these gifts to God in thanksgiving for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. The Church does not need our offering as much as we need to make this offering as part of the cycle of our spiritual lives. Just as we attend liturgy, say our prayers regularly, and participate in the sacraments of the Church, we need to give in a manner consistent with God’s teachings.
Does tithing to the Church help the Church? Our Parish has over 500 family and individual members. If each gave ten percent of their income, our community would generate an annual totaling more than $500,000. What good work could the Church and our Archdiocese undertake with these kinds of financial resources? God only knows!
A passage from Luke 8: 14-15 gives us one more scriptural message to consider as we prepare to embark on this year-long journey.
“Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.”
Together we can continue to do God’s work here at our Church and our efforts will rise to levels we never imagined. Putting our faith in God must be accompanied by a desire to know God’s teachings and to then be committed to follow and practice those guidelines. So we come back to “the first fruits” and to the fact that when seeds fall on good ground, God’s mission is fulfilled. For the next forty-seven weeks, remember these questions as you read each week’s passage. “What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
God bless you and we look forward to taking this journey together. May God be with us!
For the past five weeks, we have started a journey that will last for one year. Next year at this time we will be reflecting on our efforts to inspire change in your charitable giving. We realize that fundamental change takes time. For the next year we hope you will join your fellow Parishioners in opening your minds and your hearts to all of the wisdom of God’s message to His children.
Attached to this website is a pledge form that you may fill out of you have not already done so. Please only fill it out and resubmit to us if the amount you have decided to give for this year has changed. Otherwise we will consider your pledge from last year to be the current amount you plan to donate this year. Remember the easiest and fastest way to donate is to go to our member portal website at:
https://www.peterpaulpotomac.org/member-portal.html. Instructions for how to use the portal are on the website, or you can stop by the Stewardship table after Church the second Sunday of every month to find out more.
For each of the next 47 weeks, we will print in our Church bulletin a scriptural passage that speaks to the manner in which God expects us to give. By reading and thinking about these passages, we hope all of us will become convinced that we not only need to give more of our time, talents, and resources to the Church, but we need to make these offerings with a new spirit.
Can two apparently contradictory ideas both be true? Sometimes this can be the case. On the one hand, it is true that the Church of God flourishes when its members are giving generously and cheerfully of their time, talents, and resources. In this sense, the Church needs what we have to offer. It is equally true that we need to offer these gifts to God in thanksgiving for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. The Church does not need our offering as much as we need to make this offering as part of the cycle of our spiritual lives. Just as we attend liturgy, say our prayers regularly, and participate in the sacraments of the Church, we need to give in a manner consistent with God’s teachings.
Does tithing to the Church help the Church? Our Parish has over 500 family and individual members. If each gave ten percent of their income, our community would generate an annual totaling more than $500,000. What good work could the Church and our Archdiocese undertake with these kinds of financial resources? God only knows!
A passage from Luke 8: 14-15 gives us one more scriptural message to consider as we prepare to embark on this year-long journey.
“Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.”
Together we can continue to do God’s work here at our Church and our efforts will rise to levels we never imagined. Putting our faith in God must be accompanied by a desire to know God’s teachings and to then be committed to follow and practice those guidelines. So we come back to “the first fruits” and to the fact that when seeds fall on good ground, God’s mission is fulfilled. For the next forty-seven weeks, remember these questions as you read each week’s passage. “What does this message from God require from me, His loyal and obedient servant?” What must I change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?”
God bless you and we look forward to taking this journey together. May God be with us!
Stewardship Corner – Week 4, January 25, 2016
We have arrived at week four in our series of messages about Stewardship at Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church. God has blessed us with many gifts. Stewardship means acknowledging this by using our time, talents, and resources in ways which glorify God and His teachings. The Bible passages used in this series of bulletin inserts has reminded us that our gifts to God should be offered cheerfully and in direct proportion to their level of our awareness of the bountiful gifts God has bestowed upon us and upon our families. In the book of Matthew, we find further guidance about how we should give to the Church.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6: 1-4
This passage leads us to ask you to continue a prayerful reflection on this subject of how much of your time, talents, and resources to offer to the Church in Thanksgiving for God’s love. We know how much God loves us. How much do we love Him? Are we living every minute of our lives in a manner which reflects His teachings and our appreciation for His blessings?
Consider these points as our Parish begins this journey toward changing the patterns of giving in our community.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6: 1-4
This passage leads us to ask you to continue a prayerful reflection on this subject of how much of your time, talents, and resources to offer to the Church in Thanksgiving for God’s love. We know how much God loves us. How much do we love Him? Are we living every minute of our lives in a manner which reflects His teachings and our appreciation for His blessings?
Consider these points as our Parish begins this journey toward changing the patterns of giving in our community.
- The amount you pledge is between you and God. Through prayer each of us must reflect on the words in Proverbs 3: 9, “Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce …”
- Completing and returning a pledge form is a way for you and your family to show your love for God and for the work being done at (insert Parish name) to glorify His name in this community.
- It is the policy and practice of our Parish to not publicize the amounts pledged by our Parishioners. We will keep our members informed of all Church business, including regular financial updates, but we hope to begin moving toward a time when this information will be used to simply keep members rightly informed about Parish operations. This information should not become the basis upon which we decide how much “to give to the Church.” This decision must come from our individual and prayerful reflection upon our own thoughts about the many gifts God has given us.
- Publicizing the average pledge needed to cover Parish operating expenses is useful information to provide and it can help individual Parishioners evaluate their level of giving, but we always remember that our gifts from God come in many different forms. Some will give more and some will give less, but this should always be the result of decisions based upon prayer and reflection of God’s gifts and blessings.
Theology of Giving Series – Week 3, January 17, 2016
In this third week of our series, we begin to get very specific. One message we have shared is that our relationship with God is the foundation for all we do in the Church. If we truly believe that everything we have is a gift from God, then the giving of our time, talents, and resources to Him is as natural an act as breathing and as necessary an act as paying our bills.
Reading the Bible daily, attending Church services regularly, and working on, supporting, and participating in Church activities and programs are actions and deeds which reflect this love. So too is offering a proper percentage of our resources to represent the love we feel in our hearts for God.
“The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8
With a cheerful spirit and a loving heart, consider the possibility of changing the method you use to determine how much to give to the Church. First of all, consider your pledge an offering in thanksgiving for God’s love. Give knowing that this is what God wants and what God needs to know that we truly love and appreciate the faith He has placed in us, His children. Second, consider changing the method you and your family uses to determine how much to give. Is the amount you gave this year simply a repeat of the amount you gave last year? Is the amount of your offering a reflection of what the Parish says is the “fair share” expected from each pledging unit? Is your gift based on the fact that your family has always given this amount per week, and you continue this practice without much consideration of change? Third, think about the last ten times you spent money. Were any of these purchases for items you could have done without? With a little planning, could you have spent less for a particular item? This kind of analysis reveals to us that we could give more to the Church without neglecting the needs of our families and ourselves. Finally, consider a formula for giving that would result in raising the level of our offering to a point more in line with Church teachings. At your job, are you paid by the hour? If so, consider making your weekly offering to the Church the equivalent of one hour’s pay. If you are paid a weekly or monthly salary, divide this amount by the number of hours you typically work. Make this hourly calculation your weekly offering. Another approach might be to take your monthly income and pledge to give a percentage as your offering. Initially, this could be one, two, or three percent, if starting with a strict tithe of ten percent is not realistic.
The point is to consider changing how you determine the amount of your offering so that is becomes more reflective of scriptural guidelines. God loves a cheerful giver. Recall the joy you feel when you give someone you love a birthday or Christmas gift. Know that feeling every Sunday when you make your offering, in thanksgiving to God for all of His blessings.
Reading the Bible daily, attending Church services regularly, and working on, supporting, and participating in Church activities and programs are actions and deeds which reflect this love. So too is offering a proper percentage of our resources to represent the love we feel in our hearts for God.
“The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8
With a cheerful spirit and a loving heart, consider the possibility of changing the method you use to determine how much to give to the Church. First of all, consider your pledge an offering in thanksgiving for God’s love. Give knowing that this is what God wants and what God needs to know that we truly love and appreciate the faith He has placed in us, His children. Second, consider changing the method you and your family uses to determine how much to give. Is the amount you gave this year simply a repeat of the amount you gave last year? Is the amount of your offering a reflection of what the Parish says is the “fair share” expected from each pledging unit? Is your gift based on the fact that your family has always given this amount per week, and you continue this practice without much consideration of change? Third, think about the last ten times you spent money. Were any of these purchases for items you could have done without? With a little planning, could you have spent less for a particular item? This kind of analysis reveals to us that we could give more to the Church without neglecting the needs of our families and ourselves. Finally, consider a formula for giving that would result in raising the level of our offering to a point more in line with Church teachings. At your job, are you paid by the hour? If so, consider making your weekly offering to the Church the equivalent of one hour’s pay. If you are paid a weekly or monthly salary, divide this amount by the number of hours you typically work. Make this hourly calculation your weekly offering. Another approach might be to take your monthly income and pledge to give a percentage as your offering. Initially, this could be one, two, or three percent, if starting with a strict tithe of ten percent is not realistic.
The point is to consider changing how you determine the amount of your offering so that is becomes more reflective of scriptural guidelines. God loves a cheerful giver. Recall the joy you feel when you give someone you love a birthday or Christmas gift. Know that feeling every Sunday when you make your offering, in thanksgiving to God for all of His blessings.
Theology of Giving Series – Week 2, January 10, 2016
“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
In last week’s message, we talked about good Stewardship involving the giving of our time, talents, and resources as actions based on our belief in God. We are taught that our faith must be matched with action. We are blessed at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church with many Parishioners who give freely and generously of their time to Church projects. We are thankful that so many of our Parishioners share their talents to further the work of our Parish and its various organizations and auxiliaries. Teachers, engineers, lawyers, business owners, cabinet makers, restaurant owners, financial experts, and so many others find ways to enhance Church projects with their special skills. We hope this 52-week series of messages will encourage even more of our Parishioners to evaluate their availability of time and their special talents to find ways to give them in support of our Parish and the glory of God.
We also pray that this series will result in our Parishioners giving new thought to decisions they make about the resources they give to our blessed Church in thanksgiving for all of God’s blessings. The Bible teaches that it is the sacred obligation of all believers to make sacrificial and proportional offerings to God in thanksgiving for God’s many blessings to us. We know many believers who tithe to their Church. The ten percent they offer is seen as their obligation to God and their offering to Him in recognition of His love for us. While we pray for God to strengthen us in our ability to give with this much faith, we often need facts and figures to guide decisions about how much to pledge and give to the Church on a weekly, monthly, and on an annual basis. Our ultimate goal, however, is to reach the point where the kind of statistics listed below, while important and useful to share with all Parishioners, will not be major factors in determining our level of giving. The only factor that influences how much we give should be our faith in God and our desire to give in direct proportion of how much He has given to us.
Our annual Parish budget of projected expenses amounts to approximately $350,000.00. Fortunately we are blessed to have a small number of generous donors that fulfill approximately 80% of that budget. But they only make up about 20% of the Parish membership. Therefore we are asking those of you who have not yet pledged to commit to an amount you think you can sustain every year to ensure our future together as a Parish. For those of you who have already pledged, we ask you to review your finances and see if you can increase the amount of your pledge so that the burden does not fall on only these few donors. By increasing your pledge, you increase your spiritual giving the way the founding families of this Church did, and will reap the benefits accordingly, as you see every Sunday surrounded by the splendor of their vision manifested.
Stewards are those who assume their responsibilities with joy and with a sense of obligation. Stewards take their service seriously and they know that they must meet these obligations first, before attending to other needs. Our priority daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly is to serve the Lord and His Church by living a life that reflects His teachings. Giving generously, cheerfully, and before anything else, “first fruits,” is the discipline we must develop in order to truly be Orthodox Christian stewards in the manner intended by God.
In last week’s message, we talked about good Stewardship involving the giving of our time, talents, and resources as actions based on our belief in God. We are taught that our faith must be matched with action. We are blessed at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church with many Parishioners who give freely and generously of their time to Church projects. We are thankful that so many of our Parishioners share their talents to further the work of our Parish and its various organizations and auxiliaries. Teachers, engineers, lawyers, business owners, cabinet makers, restaurant owners, financial experts, and so many others find ways to enhance Church projects with their special skills. We hope this 52-week series of messages will encourage even more of our Parishioners to evaluate their availability of time and their special talents to find ways to give them in support of our Parish and the glory of God.
We also pray that this series will result in our Parishioners giving new thought to decisions they make about the resources they give to our blessed Church in thanksgiving for all of God’s blessings. The Bible teaches that it is the sacred obligation of all believers to make sacrificial and proportional offerings to God in thanksgiving for God’s many blessings to us. We know many believers who tithe to their Church. The ten percent they offer is seen as their obligation to God and their offering to Him in recognition of His love for us. While we pray for God to strengthen us in our ability to give with this much faith, we often need facts and figures to guide decisions about how much to pledge and give to the Church on a weekly, monthly, and on an annual basis. Our ultimate goal, however, is to reach the point where the kind of statistics listed below, while important and useful to share with all Parishioners, will not be major factors in determining our level of giving. The only factor that influences how much we give should be our faith in God and our desire to give in direct proportion of how much He has given to us.
Our annual Parish budget of projected expenses amounts to approximately $350,000.00. Fortunately we are blessed to have a small number of generous donors that fulfill approximately 80% of that budget. But they only make up about 20% of the Parish membership. Therefore we are asking those of you who have not yet pledged to commit to an amount you think you can sustain every year to ensure our future together as a Parish. For those of you who have already pledged, we ask you to review your finances and see if you can increase the amount of your pledge so that the burden does not fall on only these few donors. By increasing your pledge, you increase your spiritual giving the way the founding families of this Church did, and will reap the benefits accordingly, as you see every Sunday surrounded by the splendor of their vision manifested.
Stewards are those who assume their responsibilities with joy and with a sense of obligation. Stewards take their service seriously and they know that they must meet these obligations first, before attending to other needs. Our priority daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly is to serve the Lord and His Church by living a life that reflects His teachings. Giving generously, cheerfully, and before anything else, “first fruits,” is the discipline we must develop in order to truly be Orthodox Christian stewards in the manner intended by God.
Theology of Giving Series – Week 1, January 3, 2016
Happy and Blessed New Year! This message marks the first of Stewardship’s new communication initiative to you. Every Sunday you will receive a different message approved by Father George, Father Isaac and our Parish Council designed to initiate a Stewardship campaign for the year 2016 as part of our Theology of Giving series. It is our hope that everyone who receives these messages will read them carefully, consider the information they present, and, through prayer and reflection, change the manner in which the members of our Parish make their offerings.
This Stewardship drive is designed to give us the opportunity to thank God for the blessings He has given to us all. If we profess belief in the Orthodox faith and if we love God, we must demonstrate this through our words and our actions. In the book of Proverbs 3 9-10, we read …
“Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
Stewardship involves giving the first fruits of our time, our talents, and our resources to the glory of God. Everything we do at work, at play, and with our families must find us behaving in ways which glorify God. This is not only our duty as Orthodox Christians; it is a way of life which brings us the greatest joy and fulfillment.
Our Parish provides all of us with a place to worship and with a place to receive the holy sacraments of the Orthodox faith. For this we must be eternally thankful. Our Parish also sponsors activities and programs designed to raise funds for worthy projects and to provide fellowship for our families. Our help and support of these activities is part of what we mean when we use the word Stewardship.
The goal of this campaign is to help all Parishioners realize that the offering of our time, our talents, and our resources represents a way for us to show our thanks for the blessings God has bestowed on us and on our families. Truly, everything we have is a gift from God.
What does it mean to offer our “first fruits?” We need to be very literal about this particular passage from the Bible. Before we allocate time to devote to our jobs, we must allocate time to worship God. Before we set aside time to go to the movies or to play golf, or to work in the yard, we must allocate time to serve God and the needs of His Church. Before we agree to commitments for the school, sports, and other interest of our children, we need to make sure that there is time in their lives to learn about God’s love. Before we pay our monthly bills, we must set aside a portion of our resources in thanksgiving to God for His many blessings. God wants us to enjoy full and enjoyable lives on this earth, but we are called upon to do this by adhering to the teachings and practices of Orthodox Christian teachings.
Without this kind of commitment to our faith, we might be in danger of being believers in word, but not in deed. God demands from us, His children, total devotion to His word. Every aspect of our lives must be lived in accordance with His teachings. When it comes to our offerings to the Church, in many cases, we need to do more to explore God’s true teaching about giving. As we begin this year-long journey together, we ask you to open your minds and your hearts to the possibility of learning information that can transform the way you give to the Church. Acquiring this knowledge of God’s teachings will go a long way towards helping us not only know the joy of giving of “the first fruits,” but also knowing how to follow this practice in practical terms and within the context of our busy and pressure packed live.
This Stewardship drive is designed to give us the opportunity to thank God for the blessings He has given to us all. If we profess belief in the Orthodox faith and if we love God, we must demonstrate this through our words and our actions. In the book of Proverbs 3 9-10, we read …
“Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
Stewardship involves giving the first fruits of our time, our talents, and our resources to the glory of God. Everything we do at work, at play, and with our families must find us behaving in ways which glorify God. This is not only our duty as Orthodox Christians; it is a way of life which brings us the greatest joy and fulfillment.
Our Parish provides all of us with a place to worship and with a place to receive the holy sacraments of the Orthodox faith. For this we must be eternally thankful. Our Parish also sponsors activities and programs designed to raise funds for worthy projects and to provide fellowship for our families. Our help and support of these activities is part of what we mean when we use the word Stewardship.
The goal of this campaign is to help all Parishioners realize that the offering of our time, our talents, and our resources represents a way for us to show our thanks for the blessings God has bestowed on us and on our families. Truly, everything we have is a gift from God.
What does it mean to offer our “first fruits?” We need to be very literal about this particular passage from the Bible. Before we allocate time to devote to our jobs, we must allocate time to worship God. Before we set aside time to go to the movies or to play golf, or to work in the yard, we must allocate time to serve God and the needs of His Church. Before we agree to commitments for the school, sports, and other interest of our children, we need to make sure that there is time in their lives to learn about God’s love. Before we pay our monthly bills, we must set aside a portion of our resources in thanksgiving to God for His many blessings. God wants us to enjoy full and enjoyable lives on this earth, but we are called upon to do this by adhering to the teachings and practices of Orthodox Christian teachings.
Without this kind of commitment to our faith, we might be in danger of being believers in word, but not in deed. God demands from us, His children, total devotion to His word. Every aspect of our lives must be lived in accordance with His teachings. When it comes to our offerings to the Church, in many cases, we need to do more to explore God’s true teaching about giving. As we begin this year-long journey together, we ask you to open your minds and your hearts to the possibility of learning information that can transform the way you give to the Church. Acquiring this knowledge of God’s teachings will go a long way towards helping us not only know the joy of giving of “the first fruits,” but also knowing how to follow this practice in practical terms and within the context of our busy and pressure packed live.
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