About Giving and Christian Stewardship

How does God wish us to Give


Willingly
"For if the willingness is there, your gift is acceptable
according to what you have, not according to
what you don't have." II Corinthians 8:12

Thankfully
... be generous on every occasion and... your generosity
will result in thanksgiving to God... for the rendering of this
ministry not only supplies the needs of God's people, but is
also overflowing in manythanksgivings to God.
II Corinthians 9:11-12

Of Both Time and talent
As each of us has received a gift, employ it for one another,
as good stewards of God's varied grace.
Peter 4:10

Stewardship is:

The recognition that everything we have is a gift from God
The desire to make a grateful response to that gift
The generous sharing of our time and talent
The faith to trust in God, more than in ourselves


Stewardship is not:

Solely about financial giving
The same as secular fund-raising
Focused on financial goals


Our stewardship is about a life of total accountability. It is everything we are, everything
we do, every dollar spent, every moment we live. We challenge you to calculate the percentage of your
annual income that you currently give as a gift to the church and other charities. Then make acommitment
to increase your gift to St. Andrew's by a chosen percent a year until you reach whatever percentage
you think is right for you. It may be a one year plan or a ten year plan. A plan such as this helps each
of us refocus... turning the emphasis from "how much I am required to give? to "how much God has given
me?"

Look into our own hearts
"Open wide your hearts also..." The heart of stewardship is prayer and generous giving. But stewardship
is about more than money. It is about the spirit that directs our lives. It is about the health of our
soul.

Give proportionally and sacrificially
By giving a portion of what we have to God we make holy all that we have. While a certain percentage for
one with limited means may be a small dollar amount, in God's eyes it is every bit as important as a gift
of the same percentage from someone with greater resources. Christ's gift to us is the greatest example
of sacrificial giving. Every effort we make to emulate that gift, small or large, grows a generous heart.

 

Why should I give?

Stewardship commitments are a central part of Christian life, not a method of paying dues.
As loving stewards, we undertake both a prayerful account of the many gifts we have been entrusted with,
and a serious consideration of what portion of those gifts we will return to God. Our goal is to respond
to God with a generous offering of praise and thanksgiving to support Christ's work in this world.

Our annual financial commitments are vital to ensuring that St. Andrew's mission and ministry are nourished.
We give because we love this parish, its community and God, who calls us to be here and who teaches us
the meaning of love and the responsibility of Stewardship