Mark 12:44 “…All of them have contributed out of their abundance….”
On a retreat weekend we attended many years ago, we were urged to contribute to the future of the retreat from our substance, rather than our abundance. It is easy to contribute from one’s abundance, we were told, because it has no real impact upon one’s lifestyle. If, however, one contributed from one’s substance, it will have a lasting lifestyle impact because one will have to do without something. That deprivation, we were told, will, indeed, change one’s focus to prove that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
We complied with the request and wrote out one check for the current date – and eleven post-dated checks for each month following the retreat. Each month we were reminded of the wonderful experience of our retreat by having to limit our discretionary spending to accommodate the post-dated check.
I believe that was the point in our marriage journey where we seriously began to focus on stewardship. We resolved to begin with a relatively low percentage of our combined incomes as our pledge to the support of the work of our church; a doable amount, it seemed. But we also resolved to increase that percentage over time until we reached a goal of a tithe or ten percent. In time we did achieve that goal.
As our church’s income has decreased this year (a consequence of the death of a major supporter, the retirement of another and yet another moving away), we have stretched beyond the tithe to try to help bolster our congregation’s wonderful ministry to its members and, more importantly to the community in which we live. Once again, as we find ourselves having to do without things we would like to have but for which funds just are not available, we find our focus drawn to the mission of the congregation of St. Clare of Assisi in Ann Arbor, Michigan: “Worship with joy; Grow in faith; Act for justice.
It is truth: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Perhaps your heart joins with ours in a strong desire to see the mission of Saint Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church thrive in Ann Arbor.
Pete Ross
Stewards in the Hands of a Loving God 