Stewardship Newsletters

Spiritual Life Management Newsletter

Student Stewards Newsletter

Did you know the difference?

Charity is a response to a crisis or an immediate need. It sees victims and their needs and responds with gift giving. The American Red Cross, and The Heart Association are examples of this type of giving.

Philanthropy is like an investment. It is the act of giving money with the intention of improving the welfare of the community or an organization over the long term. The recipient is usually obliged to show results, document needs, and provide periodic progress reports so additional grants might be made.

Fund-raising asks us to give to a project such as a building or a capital investment, but rarely to an on-going effort - as some would call an operating budget. Many churches mistakenly teach fund-raising rather than stewardship. Fund-raising is necessary for building hospitals, schools, and for the arts. As an approach to do the work of God through His church, it falls far short of theological foundation and does not speak in terms of "All things come of thee O Lord and of thine own have we given thee."

Stewardship is a radically different way of thinking about giving. Charity, philanthropy, and fund-raising all treat the individual as the owner of the money. Stewardship, on the other hand, treats God as the owner, and the giver as one who simply returns a portion of that with which God has blessed us. The church in its theology offers each of us an opportunity to give out of gratitude. Stewardship then is giving with no strings attached.

If you've given back to God with your heart full of unconditional love knowing you are returning that which He has given you, you will know how awesome of an experience it is to give freely. Love is not love unless it is given away. Only then will you understand the true meaning of "it is better to give than to receive."

One last thought - who owns time? Stewardship is not only taking care of the money and things you have, but includes your time and your talent. All these are given to you by God.