Stewardship is a Personal Ministry
God has blessed each of us, starting with the gift of life itself. We are blessed with the bounty we share in our lives together as Americans. We are blessed through fellowship and the many works of outreach and care we enjoy in Athens and here at Emmanuel Church. (See the dozens of volunteer opportunities at Emmanuel.)
Pledges and Blessings
When you receive an appeal for financial support of the annual work of the parish, you’re likely to ask, “So, what is required of me? How much is needed? What are my family’s needs, and what can I spare?”
All are important—even scary in today’s troublesome times. But the Lord says to our hearts, “Fear not!” We each can make the conscious choice as his disciples to realize, without fear, “God has blessed me in so many ways throughout my life. How do I feel God is calling me to respond to those blessings?”
Supporting stewardship is a personal ministry within the Emmanuel parish, promoting “biblical giving” of our time, talent and treasure—intentionally, regularly, generously, proportionally and cheerfully, and budgeted first from the resources with which we’ve been blessed, not last—recognizing we’ve been given stewardship for all our life’s resources by an always loving God
But we are God’s stewards—and not the owners—of whatever personal resources of time, talents or financial resources, large or small, that we have. Coming to understand this article of faith is the beginning of our journey in Christian stewardship. (Read the Vestry statement on stewardship.) The Bible is filled with messages about wealth. (Read for examples this selection of passages.) In the New Testament, Jesus talked more about money and possessions than anything else except the Kingdom of God. He addressed two basic themes in parables and admonitions:
Money and possessions are a constant threat to our relationship with Christ, and having stewardship over any measure of wealth comes with a duty to help others.
Learning to be Christian stewards as biblical givers can start at any time in our lives. (Read the six elements of biblical giving and what others at Emmanuel have shared about the journey in Christian stewardship.) It starts in our hearts as we grow in our relationship with Jesus. It should not start just in adulthood. We need to talk to our children about these topics long before they move out into the world and make their first budgets of their treasure, time and talent. We need to be models for them, and we need to talk with each other, support each other and pray for each other to break down the barriers and stereotypes of our true missions as God’s stewards on earth.
For questions and more information, please call our offices at (706) 543-1294 or email or contact us at administration@emmanuelathens.org or continue to explore this website.
The Reverend Robert Salamone, Rector, the Reverend Edwin Beckham, Associate Rector; Vestry stewardship commission members Joe Clements, Rob Byrne and John Albright
Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, they may honor thee with their substance, and be faithful stewards of thy bounty.
(BCP page 329)
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