Introducing 2013 Stewardship Theme

Our Stewardship coordinators, Barbara and Billy Richardson, introduced this year's theme, "Practicing Faithful Generosity," in the October Epistle. Narrating an ancient Jewish story, Barbara and Billy thoughtfully remind us that faithful generosity derives from our love for God, His blessings, and His gifts:

Five years ago our church celebrated St. John’s amazing history of generous giving to our community and Church. “Generations of Generosity”, which showed our past history of stewardship, set a high standard for our generation to follow. The only way we can possibly follow their faithfulness is for each of us to “Practice Faithful Generosity”. We must draw upon our gratitude and love for God, for His gifts, and for His blessings in life. Take, for instance, the Jewish story, “Two Brothers.”

Once upon a time, in the land of Israel, there lived a faithful couple with two sons. The mother and father showed their sons selfless love every day. The brothers grew up and remained close with each other and their parents. They even built homes near each other on the same road.
One brother found love and married. As the marriage grew so did their numbers as he and his wife were blessed with a family of 7 children. The other brother never fell in love and remained single. They each remained very close to the other. 

When their parents died, the brothers were each given an inheritance. The brother with no children thought to himself, “My poor brother has 7 lovely children with whom to share his estate. They are well off, but split 7 ways goes only so far. I have plenty and too much for just me. I must give him my inheritance because he needs it.” He then gathered his wealth and started to walk to his brother’s home.

Meanwhile, the other brother was taking stock as well. He said to himself, “I am a blessed man. I have a wonderful wife and 7 children. My brother, on the other hand, has neither wife nor child to help with what he has to do. He only has me – and I must be there for him. I will give him my share of our inheritance.” He gathered his shares and proceeded to his brother’s house.

When they reached the middle point between their homes, the brothers nearly bumped into each other! When they both realized what the other was doing, they came to understand just how truly they were blessed. For they both knew unconditional love and gratitude in their hearts, that they each practiced a special kind of giving, a giving which can only come from God.

Because the brothers were practicing faithful generosity, they received greater gifts than they intended to give. They believed what parishioners at St. John's believe in their hearts: we cannot out give God because He will take all our gifts of time, talent, and treasure and multiply them a hundredfold.

“And everyone that has forsaken houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Matthew 19:29

We pray during this campaign that we all take the leap of faith and gratitude, that we all Practice Faithful Generosity.



Billy and Barbara Richardson
Stewardship