Sacrificial Giving
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2023 Stewardship of Sacrificial Giving Witness Talk - Deacon Harry Verhiley
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Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. ~Luke 6:38
What do we mean by
Stewardship of Sacrificial Giving?As followers of Christ Jesus, we are reminded that all things including life itself are a gift from God. When considering our household budget, we should as responsible stewards recognize the needs of God’s Church here on earth, both within our parish and in the greater community. By recalling that all is gift, we therefore must strive to be generous with the financial gifts, both great and small, that God has bestowed upon us.
Six characteristics to strive for in becoming a good financial steward:- Give intentionally by developing a plan and following through with it.
- Give regularly by establishing a pattern.
- Give generously by recognizing God provides for us.
- Give first by sharing our first fruits and living off of the rest.
- Give proportionally based on the blessings we have received.
- Give cheerfully by recognizing the benefits our offerings provide the parish.
There are many types of gifts:
- Sunday Collection: In addition to being an instrument for making financial contributions to the parish, the weekly envelope can serve as an concrete expression of gratitude and sacrifice during the celebration of the Eucharist.
- Planned Giving: Leaving a gift through your will, establishing a charitable remainder trust, creating a gift annuity, or designating Saint Pius as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy are just a few of the ways you can plan now to make a difference in the future. Click HERE to learn more about planned giving and the Saint Pius X endowments.
- In-Kind Gifts: In-Kind Gifts, such as labor and materials, can have a major positive impact on the Church. For example, if you own or work for an excavation, construction, electrical or plumbing company, your company may choose to donate its services and/or materials to the Church. This can be done pro bono or at a reduced rate. Tax benefits may apply for these gifts.
- Donor-Specified Gifts: Parishioners are welcome to dedicate funds for particular parish needs—such as library books, vestments, and candles.
- Stock Gifts: Gifts of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that have increased in value during your ownership can result in tax savings. If your portfolio has incurred losses, you can use those losses to reduce your taxable income.
- Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO): The Indiana Scholarship Tax Credit Program allows donors to contribute to certified Scholarship Granting Organizations (or SGOs) so that these SGOs can provide eligible lower income families with scholarships to attend a quality Catholic school that best suits their children’s needs. As a donor to our SGO, you will receive an Indiana State tax credit equal to 50% of the amount given, in addition to the federal tax deduction for donating to a 501(c) (3). Click HERE for more information.
There are many ways to commit to giving regularly:
- Make a gift online (see Online Giving to the right).
- Use your weekly envelopes.
- Stock Transfer
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Saint Pius use the money from my pledged commitment to Stewardship of Sacrificial Giving?
A: Your pledge goes to pay for the day-to-day operating costs of Saint Pius X. In addition, your pledge for the year helps pay for our parish’s many programs, ministries and services that promote prayer and giving to others within and beyond the Saint Pius community.
Q: Why should I give electronically?
A: Online Giving is easy and reduces administrative costs and paper. It also provides a predictable stream of income for Saint Pius’ planning and bill paying. Over 650 families give electronically today. We invite you to join them.
Q: How much should I give?
A: Only you can decide what is best for you and your family. Trusting that God will provide what you need, prayerfully consider the ways God has blessed you and consider taking another step in faith in your stewardship of sacrificial giving.
Yearly income A 2% pledge per week A 5% pledge per week A 7% pledge per week A 10% pledge
per week$20,000 $8 $19 $27 $38 $40,000 $15 $38 $54 $77 $60,000 $23 $58 $81 $115 $80,000 $31 $77 $108 $154 $100,000 $38 $96 $135 $192 $150,000 $57 $144 $203 $288 $200,000 $76 $192 $270 $384
Questions for Discussion and Reflection
- In what ways has God blessed me? How do I feel called to respond to those blessings?
- Is my giving a sacrificial offering?
- Why do I come to Saint Pius X? Are there ministries, programs, and/or events at Saint Pius X worth supporting?
- What are the practical implications of pledging? What are the spiritual implications?
- Why does God ask for our first fruits? Does pledging help me offer my first fruits?
- What does it mean to invest in something?
Thank You
People give for many reasons: the feeling of making a difference, a sense of Christian responsibility, moral obligation or the feeling of belonging to a great Catholic community at Saint Pius X. Maybe someone you respect asked you to give. Maybe you give to make the world a better place for your children and family. For whatever reason you give, thank you.
We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
~Winston Churchill