What are you REALLY doing? A Stewardship Meme

In the spirit of that meme:  what others think you are doing....what you are really doing....etc.

When you pledge money to the parish...

What the chair of the Every Member Canvass thinks you are doing?

Helping to make this year’s campaign successful.  The chair wants to see the number of new pledges go up from last year.  The chair wants to see those that pledged last year increase their pledge this year.  The chair does not want to see anyone decrease their pledge from what they pledged last year.  The chair does not want to see the number of those who pledged last year go down.  Pledging (and pledging more than last year) makes the campaign successful.

What the vestry thinks you are doing?

Supporting the mission and ministry of the parish and helping the collective dreams of the congregation come to life.  The vestry wants to fund programs and staffing that is vital to congregational life.  The vestry wants to do some work on the facility.  The vestry wants to balance the parish budget.  Your pledging makes balancing the budget a little easier.

What the treasurer thinks you are doing?

Your share to pay the bills.  We don’t want the power company to cut off the lights.  Your pledging lets the treasurer sleep a little better at night knowing that at least he or she has promises that money will be coming in to pay all the people the parish owes.

What your family thinks you are doing?

Giving money away that could be better used in other ways.  Think what we could do with all that money that is just given away.

What the rector thinks you are doing?

Practicing the spiritual discipline of giving for the good of your soul.  The rector thinks you look forward to the Every Member Canvass each year because it affords you the opportunity to review your time, talent, and treasure and how to be a good steward of what God has given you.  The rector thinks you are asking yourself:  “What do I need to give for the good of my soul and the furtherance of the Gospel?”

What God thinks you are doing?

As it is written:  “All things come of Thee, O Lord, and of Thine own have we given Thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14.