Stewardship Thought of the Week

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parents of all other virtues." —Cicero

“….for God loves a cheerful giver."  —2 Corinthians 9:7

Headline Reads:      Pay to Pray: Germany Registered Believers

“In Germany the surcharge for Catholics, Protestants and Jews is up to 9% of their income tax bills….”

This is the headline and beginning of a recent Fayetteville Observer article.  It leads us as Christians and members of St. John’s to two vital questions.

1.     Would we be taxed if such was the case here in this country or would we check the box ___Just a visitor?

2.    If we do qualify for the tax, what would be our tax rate?

Two very basic, yet challenging questions which go to the heart of our lives and faith.  Fortunately we, as Americans and Episcopalians, get to choose whether we give back to God our first fruits.  Frankly, our faith fundamentally teaches us that God wants us to voluntary give.  God knows and wants us to learn that in giving, there are indeed two gifts.  The receiver of the gift gets the joy of the gift, and the giver of the gift enriches his or her soul beyond measure. 

“We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own!”

We at St. John's reject a tax: a forced gift. We rather seek a true gift of selfless love!