STEWARDSHIP FOR CHILDREN

Our Current Environment One of the worst financial crisis One of the worst financial crisis Retirement portfolios experience losses Retirement portfolios experience losses Banking crisis Banking crisis Gas prices Gas prices Unemployment increases Unemployment increases

The cause is greed-human nature Our responsibilities as parents Focus on the earthly and not the heavenly Focus on the earthly and not the heavenly Worried about keeping up with the neighbors Worried about keeping up with the neighbors In need of a bigger house and a bigger car In need of a bigger house and a bigger car Laying up treasures for earth – not for heaven Laying up treasures for earth – not for heaven Valuable lesson in Luke 10:38-42 Valuable lesson in Luke 10:38-42 Your focus? Your focus?

No matter what happens-we will always have God watching over us 2 Corinthians 6:10 What we must give up What we must give up Nothing compared to what God gave up What we must face What we must face Nothing compared to what Jesus faced What we do What we do Nothing compared to what God has done “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything”

What we can do??? Stewardship should be a primary focus of the family Stewardship should be a primary focus of the family The Church is Jesus’ body on earth and we must support Jesus with our Time, Talents and Treasures The Church is Jesus’ body on earth and we must support Jesus with our Time, Talents and Treasures Our children must learn the importance of supporting their Church Our children must learn the importance of supporting their Church

Time A portion of your time should be dedicated to the Church. As you plan your daily, weekly and monthly calendar, your Church should be included as well. A portion of your time should be dedicated to the Church. As you plan your daily, weekly and monthly calendar, your Church should be included as well. –Special projects with the children –Community events –Working with the less fortunate –Almsgiving related to time

Talents As God said ‘ “who is given more, more is expected” If you have a special talent that could benefit your parish, let us know. This has a very positive impact upon our parish As God said ‘ “who is given more, more is expected” If you have a special talent that could benefit your parish, let us know. This has a very positive impact upon our parish –What special or unique skills do your children have –What can you do as a family

Treasures When we face challenging times, the Church needs your Stewardship support even more. When we face challenging times, the Church needs your Stewardship support even more. Several hundred thousand annually to “turn on the lights” Several hundred thousand annually to “turn on the lights” As allowances are monthly/weekly, Stewardship contribution should be monthly/weekly as our Church’s expenses are monthly/weekly As allowances are monthly/weekly, Stewardship contribution should be monthly/weekly as our Church’s expenses are monthly/weekly Provide creative options Provide creative options –Savings bank –Coffee can –Church School projects

Family Budget Each Steward or family should review their personal budget Each Steward or family should review their personal budget Look for opportunities where you can make changes Look for opportunities where you can make changes Consider increasing your Stewardship Commitment based on these changes Consider increasing your Stewardship Commitment based on these changes Small changes have a very large benefit Small changes have a very large benefit

Family Budget ITEMAMOUNTTIME SAVED Coffee (one less cup/week)$2.1052$ Gasoline (one gallon/week)$3.1552$ Restaurant (one time/week)$ $ Movie (one time/month)$ $ Children's allowance ($1/week)$1.0052$52.00 Library (one paperback)$3.9512$47.40 $1, parishioners$113, parishioners$226, parishioners$566, parishioners$1,132,400.00