CULTIVATING A GENEROUS SPIRIT Tithing – the least we can do

 TIME LINE OF FOR GETTING TITHING PLEDGE INFORMAITON IN ◦ LETTER FROM AL KRALING – WEEK OF FEB 17 ◦ GET PLEDGE INFORMATION TO PASTORAL WORKER BY MID-MARCH ◦ PASTORAL WORKERS HAVE INFORMATION TO THEIR SUPERVISORS/DISTRICT COORDINATOR – BY MARCH 24 ◦ ALL INFORMATION INTO CCR OFFICE BY MAR 31

 Fiscal year – 2012/2013 ◦ 129/180 pledged – 71% ◦ 78% met or exceeded their pledge ◦ Total pledged$420,950 ◦ Total received$427,935  Fiscal year – 2013/2014 ◦ 138/169 pledged – 81% ◦ 81% at or near their pledge amount at 6 months

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes, of mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. (But) these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Matt 23: 23

When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offering into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offering from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty has offered her whole livelihood. Luke 21: 1 - 4

If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Matt: 19: 21; 22

Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more. His master said to him, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Matt: 25: 20; 21

Thus says the Lord: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn Isaiah 58: 7; 8

Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not expect reward, except that of knowing that I do your will, oh my God St. Ignatius of Loyola

REFLECTIONS QUESTIONS - WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ANXIETY ABOUT TITHING? - DOING AN HONEST ASSESMENT, HOW WILLING ARE YOU TO SELL ALL? - WHO ARE THE HUNGRY, OPPRESSED AND HOMELSS THAT THE LORD IS ASKING YOU TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO?