Stewardship is based on the spiritual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus; and where it has been implemented, both givers’ and receivers’ lives have been changed. Stewardship is a way of life, a way of thanking God for all His blessings by returning a portion of the time, talent and treasure allotted to us.
Stewardship engenders a spirituality that deepens our relationship with the Lord. It involves intentional, planned and proportionate giving of our time, talent and treasure.
Stewardship has been a high priority of the Diocese of Charlotte since 1988. The bishops’ pastoral letter of 1992, “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response” reinforces our commitment to work toward educating and assisting parishes and individuals in adopting this way of life.
As the pastoral letter states:
"A Christian steward is one who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others and returns them with increase to the Lord.
Each member of the Church shares in responsibility for its mission; each is called to practice Stewardship of the church. Christians are also called to look outward and to place themselves at the service of the entire human community, especially those who are most in need.” The International Catholic Stewardship Council (www.catholicstewardship.org) reiterates the above:
“To practice Christian stewardship, we must share with others, both people and institutions, by giving them our God-given time, talent and treasure as an act of thanks to God for all His gifts to us. Our parish—our local Christian community—provides one focal point where we can express our faith in worship and through acts of charity. The parish is more than just a church building or a geographic boundary. It is a community of faith and action, where we can see the face of Jesus in the face of a neighbor. That neighbor might be a toddler or a senior citizen, an immigrant or a fifth-generation American, a pre-schooler learning to count or an adult learning to read. But, whatever their situation, we are called to give to them in gratitude for what the Father has given to us.”
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