Stewardship has been called the most important work of the church. What we do with the time, ability and financial resources under our care shapes our discipleship and models our beliefs for others to see. As we live in a materially abundant society, how we handle stewardship affects many people around the world. When we share with grateful hearts and open hands, we join in building a community based on faithful stewardship and love for one another. The scriptures proclaims Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful (hilarious) giver. - II Corinthians 9:7. The joy of sharing is one of the gifts of compassionate stewardship.

Basics of Stewardship

Stewardship teaches that all that we have and all that we are is a gift from God. We are, therefore, stewards of God’s gifts during our lifetime. When we accept that our lives, money, time, passions, and abilities are all heavenly gifts, the Holy Spirit can then lead us into a faithful response of how we use our gifts to further God’s reign.

Two hallmarks of the work of the Holy Spirit are joy and gratitude. As a community of faith, we gather to explore, discern, pray, and nurture one another in becoming joyful and grateful stewards.

Pledging, Biblical Generosity and Tithing

Giving Out of Thankfulness and Love for God
The Episcopal Church urges every household to make an annual pledge to support the mission and ministry of the church. Proportional giving, giving a percentage of household income, is the Biblical standard, with the tithe (10%) understood as the minimum standard of giving throughout the church.

A person who is giving to God in gratitude for what the person has received from God is displaying Biblical generosity and tithing as taught throughout the Bible. Here, the attitude is one of thankfulness and of returning out of plenteousness. In the ideal, this person is giving without attention to which of God’s purposes the gift will be used for. The giver gives up any control over the gift, even indirect control. It is only when the giver totally releases control that the transfer can really be called a gift. Part of the giver’s attitude may be that the giver never felt they owned what they are giving away. Think of the idea that “All things come of Thee, O Lord; of Thine own have we given Thee.” (From Three Attitudes Toward Giving; Albert T. Mollegen, Jr.)

Giving of Time and Talent

God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when. (1 Corinthians 12: 4-11)

Stewardship is an important part of the life cycle of St. Peter’s. In addition to parishioners providing gifts of money to the church, one can give their time and talent.