Five elements of giving named

By KATE BLAIN- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Richard Green of the diocesan Stewardship Office outlined the five elements of sacrificial giving:

* It's planned, a thought-out, conscious effort on the part of Catholics to "give something from our budgets. It should be budgeted, not just what's left over after we budget for Bell Atlantic and Time-Warner."

* It's proportionate to the means of the giver. "Some people are blessed more than others," Mr. Green noted.

* It's prioritized. "Let's put God where He belongs in our life," he stated. "What is our priority in life? Is it Crossgates Mall, or going out to dinner? Shouldn't it be giving our fair share back to God?"

* It's prayerful: "We should pray over it and put God at the center of our budget."

* Finally, it's pure, unconditional. "I like this one best," Mr. Green remarked, explaining that people are meant to give without any thought of getting back. "Jesus loves people even if they've never loved Him at all," he noted. (KB)

(10-21-99) [[In-content Ad]]