Living and Giving in Christ: Unity Through Diocesan Ministries is our annual diocesan financial appeal. It begins after Easter and concludes the following Easter. At present we are at 81% of our 2024 parish goal of $133,665.00. 213 households of 930 registered households, which is 23%, have made a financial commitment. I thank those who have made a planned, proportionate, and sacrificial gift to our local church. Unlike parishes that receive regular weekly financial offerings, our diocese has this one annual opportunity to seek our financial support.
If you have not made a financial commitment to our diocesan appeal, you have or will be receiving a letter from me seeking your support. Imagine what could happen if the other 76% of our households made a planned, proportionate and sacrificial gift. I believe we would not only meet but substantially exceed our goal. Some may say, “Father, just divide the remaining balance, $25,737.00 by the uncommitted households, 717, and ask each household to make a gift of $35.90.” My response is that this is not proportionate giving. It does not recognize that some households have greater capacity to give than others. Also, it is not a sacrificial gift for all. For some a $40.00 gift is three car washings, while for another, it may mean not purchasing meat at the grocery store for a month.
We are each called to steward our financial resources. This stewardship for a Christian places God, as with all things, in first place. There are many passages in Scripture that refer to what is known as tithing. The first is found in Genesis Chapter 14, when Melchizedek comes out to meet Abraham, as Abraham gives him a tithe of the spoils of his victory. In the book of Tobit we hear, “Son, give alms (tithe) in proportion to what you own. If you have great wealth, give alms out of your abundance; if you have but little, distribute even some of that. But do not hesitate to give alms.”
The common understanding of a tithe is ten percent, divided among parish, diocese, and charities. Some may rightly judge that this is not attainable given their financial situation. I would ask those what is attainable? Is one or two percent possible? The point is to begin a planned, proportionate, and sacrificial approach to our financial support of the Church and other charities. Evaluate the commitment in six months. You may be surprised that an increase is possible.
Over thirty years ago, as a young priest I was challenged by my pastor for not making regular contributions to the parish and the diocese. I began to do so with some hesitancy. Would I have enough for what I wanted? Two important words in that sentence are “I” and “wanted.” It took some time for me to ask, what does God want me to give? I soon realized that God was giving me 90% of my income to take care of my needs and some wants. The 10%, or tithe, was to be given to Him in gratitude and cheerfulness. I quickly learned that God wants me to give until it feels good, not until it hurts!
If you are among the 717 households that have not made a financial commitment to our annual diocesan campaign, I hope you will join me in doing so. Remember, the Lord loves a cheerful giver and God will not be outdone in generosity. Saint Paul instructs Timothy, “Charge them to do good works and to be generous, sharing what they have.”
Thank you!