Stewardship

Simple.  Is that a word that you would associate with giving?  Generosity.  Do you associate that with giving? 

Personally, generosity is easier to grasp than simple.  However, sometimes when I give, especially of my time, I forget to be generous!  It is easy to commit to something, whether it is time for a friend or helping out with a project at church or helping a family member with something they need assistance or knowledge with, and end up resenting the amount of time spent.  I recall doing something along that line this summer.  I offered to help my mother with a project she was working on, during a week my children were engaged elsewhere.  When I offered one of the four days I had available, she suggested 2 days worth of activities that we could do together!  Well, I had my list of things I needed and wanted to do!  I am blessed that I am able to be open with my mother and I said, “Sorry – you get 1.  Now decide what you want to do with it!”  In trying to be generous, I ended up being frustrated!  I think that people are hesitant to volunteer because they fear being put in a situation where they commit to one thing, but have more expected of them!  If we look deeply enough, though, we find that the time we give can give us as much or more in return.

When we give of our time out of generosity, we also receive.  Hopefully this is true of our financial giving.  Certainly we may not get a financial return on our gifts, but rather the joy of knowing that someone has benefitted from it!  Think about the causes or charities that you have donated to.  What do you think has been the benefit of that?  Read the annual reports of this congregation or other organizations you support.  Can you see the benefits? 

For me, when I think about generosity like this first, giving being simple is easier to grasp.  It is something I learned from my family.  Regardless of what our income was, we always gave to our congregation before bills or other commitments were paid.  I was taught to put God first on my financial list, and let everything else follow.  This IS a simple concept, even if not an easy one to follow or hold on to when things are difficult.  In thinking about simplicity in giving, I challenge you each to do two things:  1.  Determine a percentage of your income to give back to God, and 2.  Write that check first after each paycheck.  I am confident that good things will follow, and you will feel blessed by giving simply.

Watch the bulletin for upcoming classes, as we offer some educational opportunities revolving around the idea of Stewardship.  We will be using an ELCA resource called “Make It Simple”.  With 4 themes of Following Jesus, Facing the Truth, Acting Together and Sharing Enough, we will engage in Bible Studies and conversation to deepen our understanding of God’s wisdom regarding generosity and simplicity.

I am also in the process of identifying and building a Response Team for our annual fall          Stewardship campaign. If you are interested, please contact me.

Giving thanks for what I have been given,

Ranate Patrick

ranate@bellsouth.net

770.978.2011