We believe that all that we are and all that we have is of God.   Decision making about how we use our personal and material resources, “stewardship,” is part of our Christian life. Giving money to support the church’s work is one aspect of stewardship.

Rarely are we asked to give our life as Jesus did, and as the martyrs of the faith have done through the ages.  Most of us do not take vows of poverty as many religious people have done.  We are, though, called to ask ourselves what we can give.  There is a tradition among many Christians of tithing, that is giving one tenth of one’s income to God’s work.  For some people that is the right thing to do.  Others are called to give a larger or smaller proportion of what they earn or what they have.

God’s Work may be understood in many ways.  It might include caring for the poor and disadvantaged through a “secular” organization.  It might include providing a college scholarship to a needy person.  It might include support for an advocacy organization that works for social or environmental justice.  For a Christian, however, the church is a main avenue through which we reach out, channeling the love of God and of Jesus Christ to a world in need of healing, renewal and redemption.  We give to the church not because of what it is, but because of what it does, for us and for others outside its walls.