Stewardship: Time, Talent & Treasure
What should I give?
Dominic took his five-year old son Timmy to a local fast food restaurant. He bought Timmy the ten-piece chicken nugget meal he wanted. Dominic ordered a diet soda for himself. As they sat down to eat, Dominic asked his son, “Can I have one of your chicken nuggets?” Timmy looked down and said in a whimpering voice, “I don’t wanna share my nuggets.”
Fortunately, Timmy grew up and learned to see things a little differently. As we grow up, we learn that what we have is not meant for us alone. We learn the importance of sharing and giving back to God.
Stewardship is sharing our God-given time, talent, and treasure to further God’s kingdom. Our faith teaches us that all we have is a gift from God, and that God asks us to make a return by contributing to the Church and the poor.
BIBLICAL PRINICIPLES
Be Grateful.
Stewardship springs from an awareness that every good thing we have comes from God, and a desire to show our gratitude with action, not mere words.
“What do you possess that you have not received?” -1 Cor. 4:7
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His mercy endures forever” -Psalm 118:1
Value the Mission.
Stewardship recognizes that God’s mission to mankind, embodied in Christ and the Church, is the most important venture there is.
“I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly” -John 10:10
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations . . .”
-Matthew 28:19
Give What You Have.
Stewardship means giving sacrificially according to the kind and quantity of time, treasure, and talent entrusted to us.
“The measure of your own freewill offering shall be in proportion to the blessing the Lord, your God, has bestowed upon you”
-Deut 16:10
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace”-1 Peter 4:10
Receive Back 100-fold.
Stewardship looks forward to the blessings that result from giving.
“Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38).
“But store up treasure in heaven . . . . For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Matthew 6:20-21).
GOOD STEWARDS IN THE PARISH
There are so many ways your gifts can contribute to the thriving of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: serving in our faith formation programs, liturgical ministries, or in one of the various groups dedicated to prayer, works of mercy, and fellowship.
Financially, the parish has many needs. We ask that you consider donating 3.5% of your annual income to the ordinary collection, and another 1.5% to the building fund.
You may not be able to contribute that much right now. You may be able to contribute more. We ask that you prioritize your parish donations somewhere below your mortgage and above your vacation and entertainment expenditures.
Please prayerfully consider what gift of time, talent, and treasure you will make to the parish.
The happiest people are also the most generous. This is the happiness that God wants for you. And consider this: Who gave you the chicken nuggets in the first place?