This letter from Uzoma, a member of our Vestry was included in our weekly Parish News email. To sign up for our newsletter, please visit: Constant Contact. To see the full weekly Parish News email from May 19th, please visit: http://conta.cc/2qC7xKg
Generosity is a matter of actions, and intentions, in other words the outpouring of gifts to others because of our love for God. But we must not forget that who we are and what we have comes from Him as well. “
–Psalm 24:1
This solidifies the fact that we all are stewards of some possessions and influence.
Giving is very important, giving insight, giving hope, giving courage, giving advice, giving support, giving money, and most of all giving ourselves, without giving there is no brotherhood and sisterhood.
When we are grateful to God for His love and the gift of Jesus Christ, our desire to be generous in return provides every part of who we are– not just the money part–but also other services we can provide to each other as Christians, and this brings me to the question what kind of stewards are we?
Do we truly give from our hearts? Giving money alone or even giving is not the whole stewardship it also include how we care for our neighbors (Mark 12:28-31) Loving your neighbor as you love yourself is the greatest among the ten commandments. By nurturing generous living in our personal lives and in our life together is among better ways to lead stewardship in our various Parishes especially at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer Irving Texas.
Things like the following, to mention but a few, will help.
- Introduce Programs such as classes and activities for adults, youth, and children periodically.
- Use our financial resources to make a different in the lives of those who are deprived of a decent standard of living.
- Use our time, talent, or treasure to enrich lives and transform the world, by reaching out to those who we know that are going through a difficult time.
In my conclusion, people who live generously share a firm conviction that involvement and giving are vital indicators of generosity. Those who are active members of any group be it classes, communities, ministries, vestry, singing, the Brotherhood, Daughters of the King, to mention but a few players, contribute to our Parish. Again generosity is not about giving only, but participation as well.
Thank you and remain blessed,
Sir Uzoma Duru (A Parishioner and a member of the vestry)
One Comment
“2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 (KJV)
“6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
“7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Thank you, Uzoma, for cheerfully giving us so much of yourself in this brief homily. You are so right — giving of ourselves in a loving, enthusiastic, grateful spirit is REALLY a gift to the giver. In a way, giving to others is a selfish act because it is so fulfilling. It primes the pump, not only of responsible stewardship (good stewardship is indeed contagious!), but also of interdependence, “paying it forward.” Thank you for reminding us, Uzoma, that giving to and with others adds so much joy to life.
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