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2010 Stewardship Campaign
Give Thanks
The new season, autumn, school and hopes for rain are here, and LOPC’s annual stewardship campaign is not far behind. The theme for the campaign, “Give Thanks,” is intended to remind us that, regardless of the conditions of the economy and the financial, housing and job markets, and even more serious suffering, the gospels encourage us to be grateful.
Despite recent financial adversities, which are very serious for some members of the congregation, most of us have more material comforts than large segments of the U.S. population, to say nothing of the rest of the world. It is easy to dwell on what we want, what we had, or what others have, and forget to appreciate all we have. For our relatively high standard of living, we should “Give Thanks.”
Society emphasizes the material – our net worth, income, value of our home and other possessions that are symbols of wealth and prosperity. It is often difficult for us to remember the value of our physical and mental health, the importance in our lives of our relationships with family members and friends. For all our non-material well-being, we should “Give Thanks.”
Even when, not if, we suffer from health issues, loss of loved ones and personal tragedies, we have our faith, the assurance that God will be with us through even the direst circumstances. For God’s grace and steadfast love, we should “Give Thanks.”
Through thankfulness for all our blessings, we come to understand our obligations as Christian stewards. As recipients of God’s blessings, we should use our resources to improve the lots of those many people who have so much less than we do. There are many worthy causes that compete for our charitable resources, but as members and friends of LOPC, its numerous valuable missions and ministries deserve our strong support.
So, please “Give Thanks” and give back to God according to the blessings He has bestowed upon you.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, …but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...” Matthew 6:19-20
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