- Why does the Church care about my money?
- I'm generous. I just don't give to the Church
- When is it okay NOT to give to the Church?
- I live on a fixed income. I can't afford to give
- I do give. I just can't give very much.
- Christian stewardship teaches us to make prayerful
decisions
- I want to steward my money in a Christian way. How do I do
that?
- The Church cares about our lives; money is an important part of our
lives.
- Jesus Christ talked about the subject of money and property in over
half of His parables.
- The Church has a responsibility to teach what Jesus taught.
- We DO support the Church when we help family members, friends and other
efforts of ministry.
- If our Catholic faith is important to us, it should be a priority when we
do give.
- We are called to be models of generosity with what has been entrusted to our
care, but it would not be the Lord's will for people to lack in the necessities of life.
However, we should distinguish the needs from the wants.
- We are called by God to properly steward what has been entrusted to us. The
Church does not wish us to be mired in increasing debt.
- A planned gift, or a gift left in a will, may be a more appropriate means of
charitable giving for some.
- For donors over 65, the Church can even pay a high guaranteed annual income on
your gift.
- Tax deductions make charitable gift annuities more affordable. Inquire at your
parish.
- If we really cannot afford to give much, there is no need to feel ashamed if the
amount of money we contribute seems like an insignificant amount.
- Christ tells us in the story of the widow’s mite that it’s not the
amount we give, but the heart and soul of the decision we make.
- There are many times when our gift may appear small, but, like the widow’s
mite, it is much larger in the eyes of God, because it is given with a sense of love and
gratitude.
- If people are truly trying to walk with Christ, then all of His teachings--even
the scriptures relating to money--should be important to them.
- We must put God first. God has generously provided for different people in
different ways, and, in return, we are called to be financially generous, to give--not
just when it's convenient or from what's left over after all our desires are met.
I want to steward my money in a Christian way. How do I do
that?
- Everyone makes daily financial decisions that involve determining needs and
wants. The Church simply asks us to make these same adult decisions with our charitable
giving.
- Never forget to give God the credit for all your abilities and resources.
- Take time to evaluate your priorities in all the relationships and resources that
God has placed in your care. Pray for God's help in making decisions on where your time,
your talents, and your money can contribute most in your own life and in your faith
community.
- We must seriously evaluate our financial circumstances each year and determine
our charitable giving, rather than simply toss money at needs, or give without thinking.
- The Church, in following the teachings of Christ, invites people to invest in
solutions to the problems we face in society. Each individual can not support every good
cause, but together we can make a positive difference in the world around us. By following
Christ's example, by carefully stewarding our gifts in life, we open our hearts to the
possibilities. We open our lives to the grace of God.
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