Scriptural Basis
Scriptural Basis of The Foundation's
Programs
Opportunities for Stewardship Preaching brochure
Stewardship Manuals Available:
The Diocese of Northern California
Stewardship Manual & Stewardship Manual for
are available by clicking on the red links above.
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.
Malachi 3:10
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good they vows unto the Most High.
Psalm 50:14
Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; bring offerings and come into his courts.
Psalm 96:8
Through Christ let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his Name. But to do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:15, 16
O Lord our God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power; because you have created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
Revelation 4:11
Your, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. For everything in heaven and on earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11
But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” ….. and do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
The Parable of the Rich Fool
Luke 12:20-21; 29-31
"I am the vine, you are the branches. ... Apart from me you can do nothing".
John 15:5
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
1 Peter 4:10
He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on."
The Parable of the Widow's Offering
Luke 21:1-4 also Mark 12:41-44
Blessed is that servant whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.
The Parable of the Faithful Servant
24 Matthew 46-47
Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter in to the joy of your master. ... For all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they will have will be taken away.
Luke 19:17, 26
For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, "Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look I have gained five more talents besides them." His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter in the joy of your lord".
He also who had received two talents came and said, "Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them". His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord". Then he who had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours".
But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness.
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth".
The Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14-30 also Luke 19:12-27
Since the time of the early Church, Christians have often made a practice of leaving something for the church in their estates. Throughout the centuries, they have responded to the call to reach out; even after their earthly lives have ended, they continue through their endowments, both great and small, to build and strengthen the Church of Christ and minister to those in need. Indeed, the Book of Common Prayer urges parents to make "prudent provision for the well-being of their families" and all persons "to make wills, while they are in health…not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses.
(BCP, page 445)