What is Stewardship

A steward cares for property that belongs to someone else. A steward is a temporary custodian or trustee who has been given the responsibility for caring and managing the property and for making sure that it yields as much as possible.

In their Pastoral Letter, "Stewardship: A Disciple's Response," the American Bishops define a Christian steward as one who:

• Receives God's gifts gratefully,
• Cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner,
• Shares them in justice and love with others,
• And, returns them with increase to the Lord.

Here at St. Joseph we are encouraged to live as Christian Stewards sharing our time, talents, and treasure.

Sharing Your Financial Resources

Mature disciples make conscious, firm decisions, that are carried out in action and true to their stewardship conviction. Stewards turn the act of giving into a spiritual exercise by taking the time to reflect on how much and why they give.

Planned—Stewardship of Treasure is an intentional response to God's generosity. It requires thought and time to formulate a deliberate decision that requires us to focus on our values and priorities.

Proportionate—The ultimate goal for stewardship of treasure is the biblical tithe or 10% of the "first fruits." The Catholic understanding of tithe is 10% of gross income; 5% to the local parish church, and 5% to other charities. Other charities might include the Annual Catholic Appeal, Catholic education, food pantries, missions and other programs for the poor. This may seem unattainable when one takes into consideration the varying factors that impact an individual's or family's circumstances; however, the commonly accepted definition of proportional giving is a gradual move toward biblical tithing. Stewards are asked to begin by calculating the current giving percentage, then to make a conscious decision to increase in small increments.

Sacrificial—Giving from our substance often requires a life change and a re-ordering of our priorities. It helps to remind us of our reason for giving and focuses our attention on God.

In Thanksgiving—It's no accident that our financial contributions are part of the Offertory at Mass. Eucharist means thanksgiving—offering our financial gift is an expression of praise and thanksgiving.

Giving Freely—A true gift is given "without strings attached" and without any expectation of something in return. Giving unconditionally is a steward's response to God's generosity.