Faithful stewardship in a time of crisis: Generously give as you are able. Graciously receive as you need. Love God, neighbor, and yourself.
Generously give as you are able
As you are able, maintain or increase your giving to your congregation and other faith-based non-profits. Bills, as you know, do not a break for quarantine, even for congregations. Indeed, now there are more expenses. More needs.
If you don’t already have your offerings automatically deducted from your bank account or credit card, consider doing so. If you do, and can give more, increase the withdrawal amount or mail old-fashioned, extra-mile checks. Extra-mile gifts are over-and-above your standard offering.
By nature, people love to designate their gifts, as it gives us a feeling of more control over how the offering is spent. Get over it. Faithful stewardship is built on trust. Now is the time to give in the least-restricted, most-generous way. If it helps, think of your regular offerings as gifts designated for “where needed most.” Trust.
Faithful stewardship means sharing all our God-given gifts: time and talents as well as resources. Thank you for your doing. Thank you for your being.
Graciously receive as you need
It is blessed to give as you are able. It is blessed to receive as you need. Circumstances may mean you should not give financially, now. Be assured, asking for help contributes to the community. Please, ask.
Love God, Neighbor, Yourself
Love God. Offer prayer, praise and thanksgiving. Shake your fist and groan in lament—that’s prayer, too. God is big enough for your anger, your fear.
Love your Neighbor. You will call and check-in. You will stay home, as you are able. You will step-in and step-up for your community. You will celebrate with your neighbors, for even in a time of crisis there are births, birthdays and other celebrations of life. And, faithfully, you remember God does not limit the definition of neighbor. There are no “others.” God calls you to care about and care for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable. This includes people you do not know, people of other faiths and no faith, and people you deem undeserving. Loving your neighbor is loving God.
Love Yourself. God asks you to do all you can, not all that needs to be done. You are loved, just as you are. You are enough. God calls you to faithful self-care. If it helps, think about loving yourself for the sake of others. As you are able, care for your body, mind and spirit. Allow others to minister to you. Faithful self-care is loving God.
Blessings on your heads and hearts,
Sue Edison-Swift
3/17/2020
