As with all the pillars of stewardship, the stewardship of faith relies on the core values of identity, trust, gratitude, and love. We look at faith as a treasure that God has given us and what a beautiful treasure it is. Faith, then, is a gift like everything else we have from our Father. As such, we are grateful for the gift of faith.
How do we thank God for this gift, or any other gift, for that matter? Prayers of thanksgiving, most especially, the Mass, is one important way and is one way that the pillars of prayer and faith go hand in hand. We also express gratitude by giving back. When we receive a gift on a special occasion from a friend or family member, our natural response is one of saying, “thank you” and then giving them a gift as well on a special occasion. This need to give what we received is especially true of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. When we receive the gift, if we don’t share it and give it away, paradoxically, it diminishes. So, if we want to keep our faith, we have to give it away. How?
In stewardship spirituality, the way we appreciate the gift of faith is by receiving it as a gift that God has given to us and then giving the it back with increase to God in thanksgiving for what He has given us. You can’t give away what you don’t have. So, receiving the gift of faith means you have to develop the faith that God has given to you. This is what stewardship of faith is all about. One of the beautiful things about God and his relationship with us is that he doesn’t just magically make things happen, he cooperates with us to both give us what we need and to help us grow in holiness. That is one of reasons that it is critical to continue to grow and learn about our faith.
Some of the ways that we can do this is through bible studies, spiritual reading, faith formation, attending Mass (and being attentive during the readings and homily), Curious Catholic, Women Walking with a Purpose, and other programs and opportunities that the Church offers to help us grow.
Faith is a gift that through prayer and knowledge, we have to tend and nourish so that it can continue to grow. With that tending and nourishing, we grow as individuals who see, through the eyes of faith, the incredible goodness, beauty, and wonder of the world and all of creation. It leads us to action, living our faith, and giving back to God with increase what he so generously has given to us.