On Stewardship

"All should give what they have decided in their hearts to give, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
2 Corinthians 9:7

With all these questions, what do we know? We know the future is in God’s hands and that it is also in our hands. Our hands that have been filled with good things and can reach to share with others. Our hands that allow us to receive and also to give. One of the greatest gifts God gives us is the ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

When the REACH campaign is successful in retiring our debt, St. John’s will be able to take money now needed for interest and principal payments and multiply it many times over through outreach. We will have more, we will do more, we will grow more in faith, hope and love. Our story will reach far into the future. No doubt, it will take extraordinary faith and dedication for us to meet this challenge.

How will you know how much to give? C.S. Lewis said, “I am afraid the only safe rule in giving is to give more than we can spare.” The reality is that we can never out-give God. The REACH campaign asks you to carefully reflect, study and pray about the total amount God is calling you to give. Pray by yourself or with family members, but seek God’s counsel about how God is calling you to make a difference.

And then, give joyfully and gratefully. Do it for yourself. Do it for those who did it for you, putting their love and their money into this church. Do it for all the people God still wants to send us. Do it for people you don’t even know but whose stories you want to share. Do it for generations to come.

Reach. Make a difference.