by the Venerable Edwin Primus
A basic definition of Christian stewardship, is our faithful response to the generosity of Almighty God’s love towards us, by way of us committing out time, talent, resources and treasure/money to the mission and ministry of God’s church at home and abroad.
To this end, all of us need to see ourselves as stewards/overseers of God’s world. Also, we need to come to the realisation that Christian stewardship is not only about money, as important as money is for the church and its work. Therefore, it is my conviction that any discussion about Christian stewardship ought not to begin with ‘money talk’, but God talk. That is our discipleship and commitment to Almighty God. My understanding of Christian stewardship has led me to conclude that when a person is committed and gives his life to Jesus first, then his financial commitment would be a natural offshoot.
Notwithstanding my belief and more and more persons seeing it that way, the notion that financial stewardship comes first, or is paramount, pervades the psyche of quite a lot of people within our churches and their leaders. Thus, it is my hope that once given the opportunity, I would be able to share some thoughts on Christian stewardship, e.g. ‘Where do we fit and what is expected of us?’
Editor, there is a constant request for information on financial stewardship. The Holy Bible is replete with examples on the same and for easy reference, I will refer to two examples:
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Luke 6: 38 – Jesus promised you, “Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping poured into your hands – all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one God will use for you.”
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1 Chronicles 29: 11–17 – “Everything we have and gives come from God.”
The frequently asked questions, “Why should I give?” and “How much should I give?” can be answered simply … We ought to give our money to advance the cause of Christ because we have first acknowledged God’s rightful ownership of our lives. Thus, our giving should be seen as an expression of our identity as God’s stewards.
Now, as to how much should be given: the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago agreed that the standard measure of giving is that of the Tithe; ten per cent of one’s income. This does not mean that the other giving schemes, loose offerings, and stewardship pledges/envelopes are obsolete.
Our church suggests that each member should consider giving the tithe to his/her local church. In this way the burden is shared fairly by all of its members; in proportion to the blessings that Almighty God has generously given each of us.
We can work out what ten per cent of our income is by dividing our monthly/weekly income by ten, according to the scales shown:
Chart I: Weekly Earnings
|
Income |
3% |
5% |
8% |
10% |
15% |
|
$150 |
$4.50 |
$7.50 |
$12.00 |
$15.00 |
$22.50 |
|
$200 |
$6.00 |
$10.00 |
$16.00 |
$20.00 |
$30.00 |
|
$300 |
$9.00 |
$15.00 |
$24.00 |
$30.00 |
$45.00 |
|
$400 |
$12.00 |
$20.00 |
$32.00 |
$40.00 |
$60.00 |
|
$500 |
$15.00 |
$25.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
$75.00 |
|
$600 |
$18.00 |
$30.00 |
$48.00 |
$60.00 |
$90.00 |
|
$700 |
$21.00 |
$35.00 |
$56.00 |
$70.00 |
$105.00 |
|
$800 |
$24.00 |
$40.00 |
$64.00 |
$80.00 |
$120.00 |
|
$1,000 |
$30.00 |
$50.00 |
$80.00 |
$100.00 |
$150.00 |
Chart II: Monthly Earnings
|
Income |
4% |
8% |
10% |
12% |
16% |
20% |
|
$1,000 |
$40.00 |
$80.00 |
$100.00 |
$120.00 |
$160.00 |
$200.00 |
|
$1,500 |
$60.00 |
$120.00 |
$150.00 |
$180.00 |
$240.00 |
$300.00 |
|
$2,000 |
$80.00 |
$160.00 |
$200.00 |
$240.00 |
$320.00 |
$400.00 |
|
$2,400 |
$96.00 |
$192.00 |
$240.00 |
$288.00 |
$384.00 |
$480.00 |
|
$3,000 |
$120.00 |
$240.00 |
$300.00 |
$360.00 |
$480.00 |
$600.00 |
|
$4,000 |
$160.00 |
$320.00 |
$400.00 |
$480.00 |
$640.00 |
$800.00 |
|
$5,000 |
$200.00 |
$400.00 |
$500.00 |
$600.00 |
$800.00 |
$1,000.00 |
In this context, I wish to suggest that all who are serious about their financial stewardship, ought to sit down and work out how generous God has been to them. Calculate your current level of generosity i.e. the percentage of your income and time you give to others, and pray about what your response to Almighty God should be now.
If after all this you find that you are unable to give more at the moment because of existing commitments, do not despair and withhold your tithe and offerings to Almighty God and His church.
What I would recommend, as experts in the field of Christian stewardship advocate, is that you work out a medium term goal, and strategies as to how you would get to where you ought to be, i.e. 10 per cent tithe as your circumstances change. This process could be monitored by use of a yearly review of your total giving to the church and other charities, based on your situation at any given time.
In conclusion, may I remind of the scriptural dictum which states, “God is the owner of all that we have.” Ps. 24:1
