Frequently Asked Questions About Stewardship
1. What is Stewardship?
Stewardship can be defined as our personal response to God's generosity in the way we share our resources of time, talent, and money. Stewardship reflects our recognition that all that we have comes from God and our commitment to making God's love known through the realities of human life and in our use of all that God has given us. It is also our service to God's world and our care of creation. Stewardship more narrowly defined refers to our giving to the church. Parish members are encouraged to make an annual stewardship pledge. This pledge represents our specific Christian commitment to "work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God" (BCP, p. 856).
2.You mean it’s about more than meeting the budget?
Of course, the bills must be paid and the budget must be met, but stewardship is ultimately about something far more important: our relationship with the God who made us and entrusted to us all that we have. Stewardship is a matter of our spiritual health.
3. Why should I make a pledge?
A pledge is a sign of commitment to the parish and to God. Practically speaking, pledges make it easier for the parish to plan its budget. Pledges also help you to plan your giving over the course of a year.
4. How much should I pledge?
How much you pledge is a matter to be determined through prayer and careful reflection.The biblical standard for giving is the tithe, 10% of one’s income. This biblical tradition began with Abraham who “gave one tenth of everything” (Gen. 14:20) and continued through Moses, David, Solomon, and Job. Tithing was encoded in Levitical law, and gifts were given to support the Temple and the poor. At the 1982 General Convention of the Episcopal Church (and at conventions ever since) the tithe was upheld as the minimum standard of giving by Episcopalians for God’s work. Tithing requires a leap of faith, but those who tithe find their lives to be enriched in many ways that go beyond material treasures. Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.(Luke 12:34)
5. But 10% of my income is a LOT to ask.How can I do that?
One way to approach the tithe is through proportional giving. First of all, take a look at what you are giving right now. Is it 1% of your income?5%?You might be surprised. Wherever your giving is now, commit to giving at least 1% more when you make your pledge this year, and then put yourself on a plan to increase your pledge by 1% (or more) each year until you reach 10%. Tithing seems even more intimidating when we put our giving to the church at the bottom of our list of financial obligations….we give out of what is left over. In fact, God asks us to give of our “first fruits”—placing our pledge at the very top of our priorities.
6. Is that 10% of my gross or net income?
That is between you and God.
7. If I am tithing, must all my giving be to the church?
Of course, God’s work can be done through many channels, and there are many worthwhile institutions and programs we might support. But our primary vehicle for ministry is through the church, and that is where God calls us to give our largest share.
8. I’m on a fixed income. Is it reasonable to expect me to increase my pledge?
Realistically, almost everyone is on a “fixed income” in that we must cover our expenses on a fixed amount of resources. God does not ask us to give up meeting our basic needs for living; God does ask us to give sacrificially, and what we give reflects our priorities and how we value our relationship with God. How much you pledge (and whether you can increase your pledge)is something to be carefully and prayerfully considered.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.(2 Corinthians 9:8)
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