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The Rhythm of AbundanceChristian Stewardship is based on the idea that everything we have, not just our money, but also our time, talent, the environment, and even our “good-looks” are all gifts from God. Christian Stewardship is a call to healthy spirituality, a call to hold material and spiritual possessions in a good and healthy balance. Such balance is a lifetime goal. Many ancient spiritual journeys, including Judeo-Christian traditions call upon adherents to return to God the “first fruits” of human labor or investment. Such spiritual discipline reminds us that everything we acquire in life, even life itself, comes from God, belongs to God, and will ultimately return to God. Such spirituality, properly practiced, reminds each of us of our important responsibility as stewards or managers of God’s gifts that flow through us while we live on the earth. That is why we call is, “stewardship.” We acknowledge this rhythm of abundance by returning the first and finest product of our labor to God. This is the basis of tithing, the spiritual practice of retuning the first tenth of our income, investment increase, and even enlarging our capacity to forgive one another as boundlessly as God forgives us. Whether we tithe, surpass the tithe, or give in some other way, good stewardship does not stop with giving. Good stewardship also calls us to ensure that the gifts we bring are properly managed, invested, put to work and shared with those most in need who live among us . . . and those living far away. Studies show that even today, religious organizations still nurture the most generous donors and volunteers for non-religious non-profit organizations. What children learn in churches, temples, and synagogues about generosity has a direct impact on the greatest financial support for non-religious social action in the world. We invite you to consider prayerfully the tools in this section of the website on your path to sustain spiritual balance over and against mindless accumulation of wealth and power, solely for our families, ourselves, and those closest to us. Resources here will change from time to time, so come back and visit to see what’s new, to let us know the ways you use these materials and to share your stewardship own successes. |
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