On Stewardship and the Orthodox Life - “God so loved the world, He gave…” (John 3:16 RSV)

Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America is soon upon us. In the first year the Pilgrims landed in America, half of them died from lack of food and a severe winter. They were taught by the natives how to plant and harvest corn, which prepared them and helped sustain them for the following winter. In 1621, Governor William Bradford wanted to set aside a day of feasting and prayer in thanksgiving to God for surviving the winter.

It is said that the settlers invited the natives to this meal to give thanks to God for their many blessings. The Pilgrims recognized God as the Giver of all good things and offered Him thanksgiving and gratitude. Stewardship is, at is most basic level, our thanksgiving and gratitude to God. It is acting out our Thanksgiving, like the Pilgrims with their native brothers and sisters.

"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." God gave Jesus Christ to His children and in so doing set the ultimate example. Our lives, in imitation of Christ, are to be ready, willing and able to give of ourselves for the life of the world through the Church.

We often ask in stewardship “programs” that people give “as the Lord has blessed us.” Most of us have been greatly blessed, particularly compared to many in the world who have little or nothing. We can be reminded that even the widow in Christ’s story gave all she had and then she had nothing left over. Her thanksgiving was absolutely full. Can we consider our giving in proportion to our blessings? That is true stewardship.

A pastor once said to his congregation: "My friends, it takes faith to make the church walk!" They shouted, "Let it walk, Pastor, let it walk." He went on, "Brethren, it takes love to make the church run!" They shouted, "Let it run, Pastor, let it run." "Beloved," he continued, "It takes money to make the church fly." Back came the answer: "Let it walk, Pastor, let it walk."

In Orthodox icons the angels are pictured with wings to denote the speed with which they fly to carry out God's will. True stewardship can be called imitation of the angels. The Church should not walk or run. The Church should fly like the angels, sharing and expanding the love of Christ among both ourselves and the world around us.

This weekly series of brief thoughts on stewardship and Orthodox life is brought to you by your Diocesan Stewardship Commission.

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19. “God so loved the world, He gave…” (John 3:16 RSV)

 

Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America is soon upon us. In the first year the Pilgrims landed in America, half of them died from lack of food and a severe winter. They were taught by the natives how to plant and harvest corn, which prepared them and helped sustain them for the following winter. In 1621, Governor William Bradford wanted to set aside a day of feasting and prayer in thanksgiving to God for surviving the winter.

 

It is said that the settlers invited the natives to this meal to give thanks to God for their many blessings. The Pilgrims recognized God as the Giver of all good things and offered Him thanksgiving and gratitude. Stewardship is, at is most basic level, our thanksgiving and gratitude to God. It is acting out our Thanksgiving, like the Pilgrims with their native brothers and sisters.

 

"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." God gave Jesus Christ to His children and in so doing set the ultimate example. Our lives, in imitation of Christ, are to be ready, willing and able to give of ourselves for the life of the world through the Church.

 

We often ask in stewardship “programs” that people give “as the Lord has blessed us.” Most of us have been greatly blessed, particularly compared to many in the world who have little or nothing. We can be reminded that even the widow in Christ’s story gave all she had and then she had nothing left over. Her thanksgiving was absolutely full. Can we consider our giving in proportion to our blessings? That is true stewardship.

 

A pastor once said to his congrega­tion: "My friends, it takes faith to make the church walk!" They shouted, "Let it walk, Pastor, let it walk." He went on, "Brethren, it takes love to make the church run!" They shouted, "Let it run, Pastor, let it run." "Beloved," he continued, "It takes money to make the church fly." Back came the answer: "Let it walk, Pastor, let it walk."

 

In Orthodox icons the angels are pictured with wings to denote the speed with which they fly to carry out God's will. True stewardship can be called imitation of the angels. The Church should not walk or run. The Church should fly like the angels, sharing and expanding the love of Christ among both ourselves and the world around us.