1. The Basics of Stewardship
• What is Stewardship?
Principles of Stewardship
• Why is Stewardship Important?
Orthodox Perspective on Stewardship
• What is Sacrificial Giving?
Stewardship at the Annunciation
• What is our Vision?
“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.”
Luke 12:48

2. Matthew 20:1–16
What is a Steward?
What is a Steward in
the Christian context?
So what is God’s will
regarding His
stewards?

3. • Being good stewards of our time is the gratitude that God has
given us yet one more day to work towards our salvation; to
recognize each hour as another opportunity to serve Him.
• Being good stewards of our talents is the sense of responsibility
to nurture and advance our God-given skills and talents for the
benefit of the Body of Christ.
• Being good stewards of our treasures is maintaining a spiritual
perspective on the material world, avoiding the sense of
entitlement, while nurturing the feeling of thankfulness, humility
and trust in God.

4. The practice of Christian stewardship predates the establishment of the Church
through the teachings of the greatest steward of all time…

5. Christ not only taught us about stewardship in His parables but more
importantly, He demonstrated the practice of stewardship.
He fed the
crowds with two Washed the feet
Cured the infirm
fish and five of His disciples
loaves
Practiced stewardship as He continuously
served the people around Him.

9. promotes our spiritual growth as Stewards, by
strengthening our faith and commitment to
Christ.
strengthens our relationship with God, by
recognizing His presence in our lives through all
His blessings, which are so richly bestowed upon
us.
offers our children a mature, Christ-centered
lifestyle.
Provides a “a good defense before the awesome
Judgment seat of Christ.”

10. On a Parish level, Stewardship
enables and funds the ministries of the Church.
develops a culture of joyful giving, making the
community a dynamic Body of Christ.
enables a Parish to fulfill its vision.
enables a Parish to go beyond “survival mode” and
initiate “apostolic mode.” (The Great Commission)

11. RELUCTANT GIVING
We tend to our material well-
being, comfort , wants and desires. If
anything is left over, we give to the
Church.
The amount of giving is perceived as a
financial loss and is minimized.
Stewardship is not in the family budget
and is inconsistent according to many
variables.

12. PROPORTIONAL GIVING
In the Old Testament, 10% was a
meaningful demonstration of one’s
commitment to God.
When practiced today, it sets a point of
reference for the financial expectation
of a religious institution.
It was a non-negotiable in a culture
where God comes first, before
anything else.

13. SACRIFICIAL GIVING
The proportion of our giving
declares the type of relationship we
have with GOD and our belongings.
We do not give to the
Church, because the Church needs
our money, or has asked for it; we
give because WE NEED TO GIVE.
When we give, we experience a
sense of joy and humility as we
approach in thanksgiving the Giver
of all blessings.

14. RELUCTANT PROPORTIONAL SACRIFICIAL
GIVING GIVING GIVING
Fear of doing
Trust in God Joyful giving
without

16. It takes $1,173 per day to operate our beloved Church.
Nat’l Comm
Keeping in Touch with You $27,000 15% 6% Maint
Maintaining Buildings $101,000 Worship
Educ
24%
Those Who Serve US $202,000
Worship & Education $35,000 8%
National Ministries* $63,000
TOTAL $428,000
*Includes Archdiocese Fair Share contribution
of $52,000
Personnel
47%
To learn more about our Church’s annual budget and finances,
please attend the General Assembly on December 4!

20. Archdiocese and Metropolis ministries
Utilities, maintenance, repair and housekeeping of facilities
Personnel
Church Communications
Liturgical Services and Sacraments
Youth Ministry (GOYA, JOY & HOPE)
Sunday School
Music Ministry (choir, chanters, etc.)
Hospital and Shut-in Ministry
Outreach and Stewardship Ministries
Adult Ministry and Bible Study
Liability Insurance
Fellowship Dinners
Orthodox Missions

21. My Orthodox Family Budget
Bills Entertainment Personal Church
• Food • Cable TV Comfort Stewardship
• Clothing • Music • Memberships
• Electric • Movies • Hobbies
• School expenses • Dining out • Razorbacks
• Mortgage • New electronics • Luxury goods
• Car payments • Vacation fund • Alcohol
• Tobacco
Does this reflect what is important to me?

22. Now I understand the message of Stewardship.
Stewardship is an Has an impact on my It affects my family, my
expression of my faith. salvation. Church and the world.
I will commit my
Time Talents Treasure
“I can do everything through Him, Who gives me strength.”
I will advance the I will forever give
I will teach others.
Annunciation. thanks to the Lord.

23. “… let us commit ourselves and one another
and our whole life to Christ, our God”
From the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom