Stewardship

How we honor God with our time, talent and treasure

When we think of giving to a church we often think only of giving money, but there is much more to stewardship. At SFC, we believe giving is an act of devotion, a way of thanking God for His many blessings, and in that context we also think of giving in terms of sharing our time and talent to help build His kingdom on Earth. Churches do not run on money alone, but also on the energy and dedication of their members, friends and staff.

The Bible tells us that giving is an individual decision. A frequently quoted verse is II Corinthians 9:7; "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." So we are accountable only to God for our gifts and sacrifices. Saratoga Federated does offer many opportunities and much encouragement to those in our fellowship who feel called to give in some manner.

Opportunities For Service

At SFC you can see people giving of their time and talents in many ways, some more visible than others. Volunteers teach Sunday School classes, work with youth groups, staff the nursery on Sundays so parents can enjoy an uninterrupted worship service, pray with those who want to pray with another Christian, and serve on numerous boards and committees. There is a group who just show up every Thursday to do the many jobs that need doing to keep the facilities in good repair. Some people work in outside ministries, feeding the homeless or working with disadvantaged youth, or taking worship services to elderly people in the community. There is no limit on the opportunities to serve.

Tithes and Offerings

At worship services, we are invited to "give our tithes and offerings." Does that mean tithing is required? No, although some people do so, believing that giving back to God should entail a sacrifice. The New Testament does not mention percentages. As we see in the story of the widow's mite in Luke 21:1-4, Jesus told us that the attitude of the heart is the crucial factor in giving.

Like most churches, SFC conducts an annual pledge drive, for the simple reason that we need to budget for operating expenses, staff salaries, and support of missions and ministries. Pledging is strictly voluntary.

How Much Is God's Grace Worth?

No matter how much or how little time, talent and treasure we give to the church, we can never deserve the amazing, priceless grace that God shows us every day. He doesn't need our gifts, it's our devotion that counts. Saratoga Federated encourages its members and friends to thoughtfully and prayerfully consider their giving, without guilt but with a constant awareness of our love for Him and His love for us.