Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. — 2 Corinthians 9:7
Living as stewards is an on-going process of conversion. As disciples who are committed to living our lives as good stewards, we must constantly be attentive to ways we are called to give and share. This is a process of discernment, in which we take stock of the ways we have been blessed and the gifts we have been given, and then consider what and how we are called to give back, as a grateful response to God. As we wrote last week, stewardship can take many different forms in a parish such as St. Edward’s. As we grow, both as individuals and as a parish, we will wish to discern the proper use of our time, talent, and treasure.
Discernment, however, is more than simply deciding something. Discernment is a process that is carried out through prayer, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom, encouragement, and challenge of other faith-filled companions. In our personal lives, we prayerfully determine how much money to give to our parish, and we give much thought to what ministries need our time or our talent. We may talk with our spouse, good friend, or fellow parishioner as we consider what is appropriate and how we are called to sacrifice. Our discernment is a reflection of our growing relationship with Christ and a response to Christ’s call to love and serve. Likewise, as a parish, we must discern together the use of that which God has blessed us with as a community.
In the New Testament, Christians were not commanded to tithe anymore but rather they were encouraged to voluntarily give to the church (and to God) in proportion to their wealth. Even in New Testament passages like Matthew 22:15- 22, Matthew 23:23, and Romans 13:1-7, Jesus was only referring to the Old Testament command on tithing – not advocating for the return of the requirement.
The guideline for tithing and offering today may seem vastly different, but the motivation is the same. It is more than obligation; it is more than mere gratitude. It is the recognition that our lives and what we possess in terms of time, talent and treasure has been given to us for a reason, which is to glorify God and to join our life with His life. It is to give out of the recognition that we have received that life and are called to enter ever more deeply into it.
Once again, it is the stewardship of giving and receiving that will be our work as individuals and as a parish in 2025.