Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15. Now as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you--so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.
My parish mentions money only before hitting us up for some.
I used to know the exact week of "Stewardship" Sunday and would plan to be away. One children's sermon, however, caught me off guard. Each child was handed a baggy with ten shiny pennies. Yes, they could keep the pennies, at least all but one which was to be put back in the collection plate. They still looked pretty happy, but when the plate came around my grandson did not share. He figured all ten pennies were now unequivocally his.
While churches do need money to operate, stewardship is about more than balancing the budget. Stewardship is a spiritual issue. God has provided for and will continue to provide for our every need. Failure to give graciously reflects only one thing--a lack of faith.
God wants our heart, 100 percent. God asks for a token 10 percent of our treasure, knowing that where our treasure is, there will our heart be also.
PRAY for the Diocese of Newark (Province II, U.S.)
Ps 130 and 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 – OR – Ps 30 and Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 or Lamentations 3:21-33; Mark 5:21-43
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
