Lay Witness Talk: Stewardship of Treasure
Masses at Holy Trinity Parish
Saturday, October 19 & Sunday, October 20
 
RITA:
Good Afternoon/Morning!  My name is Rita Anderson and this is my husband Eric.  We have been married for 14 years and have been members of Holy Trinity Parish since moving to Fort Dodge in 2014.  Together we have four children; Cora (10), Ella (8), Grace (5), and Ben (3).
 
First of all, you may be wondering why we are speaking to you today about stewardship, and in particular, stewardship of treasure.  It all happened about two weeks ago when Eric and myself received an email from Hiedi with the subject line of, “would you consider?”  My first thought was of course, “consider what?” so I opened the email, read it, and then looked to see whom else it may be addressed to. After that, my next thought was, “No, I don’t consider.”  But, realizing it was sent to only Eric and me, the fear kicked in.  Now, I’ve done a couple of witness talks since teaching at St. Edmond, but to speak at all masses and about stewardship and giving financially?!?!  I wasn’t sure Hiedi had the right people.  I mean Eric and I give, but we basically live paycheck to paycheck.  We often pray about our finances, and it was exactly that, that I was praying about just a few days before.  I was really worrying about it, wondering how we were going to get by.  But then I did something I am not even proud to say out loud.  I got mad.  Talking to everyone in our parish, about stewardship of treasure was NOT what I was praying for.  I was sure God and myself had our wires disconnected somewhere.  And like usual Eric was fully on board, so here we are.
 
ERIC:
I knew that God was calling us to examine our priorities and ask if he was first priority.  Which is strange because Rita is usually the one God speaks to, but I too, had been praying about financial clarity.  I knew Rita was worried about things and one of them paying bills.  I reminded Rita, after I said we should provide a witness, that God answers prayers in the best way for His glory, His plan.  Sometimes those answers come in the form of providing an opportunity to trust him.  When we trust in Him and follow, he pours out his blessings on his Church and us.  Growing up in the Anderson household, our motto was, “It will all work out.”  This may seem like a back seat approach to life, but as I get older I realize it was about a deeper understanding in God and trusting him.  Now that is not to say that I too do not worry, I do, I am human.  But I also remember a bible verse from Matthew 6:25-34, which I am going to paraphrase, “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life..Look at the birds of the air; they do not worry.  Are you not much more valuable than they?....God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is gone, Will he not take care of you..your heavenly Father knows what you need..seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well….
 
God loves us and if we trust in him, he will provide everything we need.  God’s love is great and when he made man he tasked us with taking care of the garden.  Genesis 2:15-Now the church is the garden and God is asking us to take care of it-tend, provide, and help it grow.
 
RITA:
The day we were set to meet with Hiedi, I found strength and clarity in my morning Bible reading/devotional.  From 2 Corinthians 8:12 “Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly.”  I realized how dumb I had been in my worrying.  God has provided for us and always will.
 
ERIC:
The Church is an investment, stock that does not depreciate in value, when we give to God his blessings are poured out on our lives.  We each have a calling and a responsibility to give what God is asking, not for our good, but for the good of the community, for the children, and for lost souls.  God provided us with the greatest treasure everlasting life and salvation through his Son Jesus Christ.
 
We invest in what we believe in. Your time here at mass is an investment, the work of the priests and deacons are an investment and belief in Christ is an investment that pays out in the glory of God and his love for all.
 
RITA:
Stewardship is a way of life; a way of thanking God for all his blessings.  Stewardship is also a journey, and maybe that’s why we are the ones standing before you today, because we are at the beginning of that journey, and we have a long ways to go.  Perhaps there are many of you in this Parish, here today, that are like us.  Stewardship for us is about focusing on the fact that we have what we have because of God’s generosity, not because we’ve earned it and we understand that we need to give back.
 
 
ERIC:
We give what we can and we look for ways to give more.  God has blessed our lives in so many ways.  Every year since we’ve been members of Holy Trinity, through prayer, we have tried to increase our giving and also give to something new.  We give happily and thankfully.  Honestly, there are times we even give more money to our kids to put in the weekly collection basket so they too know the joy of giving back to the Lord.  Our reward is salvation in Christ and everlasting life in Heaven.
 
Tithing to the church is important to us-it’s an investment in a spiritual community for our family, so we try and give every chance we get.  God is calling you to give what you can to.  Will you answer his call?
 
RITA:
(Reference the pamphlet that was sent in the mail with Msgr McCoy’s letter)
 
In closing, I’d like to end with the prayer that was in the back of the pamphlet mailed with Msgr’s letter a week or so ago. 
 
A Prayer for Generosity:
Lord, I want to be a more generous person.
I am sorry for the times I have held your gifts in a clenched fist.
I am sorry for the times I was blinded by what I wanted and failed to be grateful for the abundant blessings you have already poured into my lap.
Please show me how to be a more grateful and generous person.
Help me to see how my gifts can make a difference in my parish and my community.
Let me use my financial blessings in a way that is sacred and holy.
Give me strength to turn away from the temptation of too many material possessions.
May I share my gifts you entrusted to me in exactly the way you had hoped I would.
And may I know the deep joy that comes from holy and sacrificial giving.
Amen.