Category Archives: moral values

We Believe… That Giving is Collaborative

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As we continue to reflect on another of the six statements of belief that guide our actions at the Stewardship Foundation, we explore Credo #2:

We believe… 
that giving is a collaborative act 
between the donor, the charity, and their God.

As a 501(c)(3) investment ministry that provides charitable organizations both legacy and endowment opportunities for gift planning, the phrase “collaborative act” implies doing (not just thinking), working (but not alone) and accomplishing (with others) to produce or create something.

Some might call the work that we do with nonprofits “teamwork” — and it is! Ecclesiastes 9 tells us, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.” When our advisors and charities work together, we get much more done and accomplish more.

Our mission is to advise and support strategic plans that will motivate donors to give generously. We often smile when we think of the Bible verse “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:7)

In the Parable of the Talents, we discover that we should never cling to our money, but invest it liberally so that it increases the good that it does 100-fold. In fact, our #2 Credo keeps us on track as faithful stewards described in the Bible. Bishop Barron explains how in his video that explains the often misunderstood Parable of the Talents.

Next month, we revisit another Credo. To see the our list of Credos on our website, go here ».

We Believe… In Caring for the Poor

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In our continuing series of reflections based on the credos, or statements of belief on which we founded The Stewardship Foundation, we explore care for the poor, specifically the hungry…

We believe… that it is our responsibility to care for the poor, the sick and the disadvantaged, and to use our talents for the betterment of mankind through education, opportunity and freedom.

We need not look further than Matthew 25 verses 35-45 to understand the source:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. … Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

According to the Urban Institute, poverty in the U.S. in 2021 is 13.7%, or 1 in 7 Americans. A leading charity, Feeding America puts the number of people experiencing hunger at 35 million. In our hometown of Columbus, Ohio, you can help support a local Food Pantry (see the list) or this coming Thanksgiving plan to provide a holiday meal to a family in need through the Byron Saunders Foundation. 

We understand that values are the driving force in a nonprofit and that the social mission trumps profit in the bottom line. 

Nonprofits and charities, like the Byron Saunders Foundation often seek funding from foundations such as ours. We work with estate planners, financial advisors, accounts and attorneys. Nonprofits and charities can benefit from our relationships within the charitable planning community. We offer:

  • A cost-free resource for charitable planning
  • Donor motivation seminars and events
  • A philanthropic partner that embraces your mission and cause
  • Opportunities to meet colleagues and potential donors and clients

We are willing to formally share what we know about the causes we support with other foundations and funders. Our success rests on our commitment, leadership, energy, enthusiasm and ideas that will emerge when we work together. Contact us now at (614) 800-7985, and please consider forwarding our message to a friend or associate.

Photo credit 222479223 © US Navy Medicine | Dreamstime.com

Our Fifth Credo

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We believe… in the sanctity of human life, marriage and sexual morality, and religious freedom and the rights of conscience.

In 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges held that the 14th Amendment require a State to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex if their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed.

In recent news headlines, the position of the Catholic Church has been bandied about like a volleyball match. Because The Stewardship Foundation holds the position that marriage between a man and a woman to be the most basic institution in society, we thought we’d clarify our position in light of recent news headlines.

Our Fifth Credo

As reported in the National Catholic Reporter, more than a dozen U.S. Catholic leaders and organizations kicked off Pride month with “blessing services” in clear support of the LGBTQ community. 

In 2016, now President Joe Biden, a Catholic, officiated at the same-sex wedding of two White House staffers, reportedly “going out of his way” to act with contempt for infallible Church teaching in light of Roe v. Wade.

Moral liberalism holds that we have a right to do anything not harmful to others. Was Joe Biden acting morally? Does this action imply giving same sex couples the right to marry? 

Pope Francis, or we should say the 2020 movie “Francesco” was not helpful when Francis was portrayed as ignoring the teachings of his predecessor St. John Paul II who said “respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual unions.” 

But in reality, Pope Francis was speaking about the right of homosexuals not to be rejected by their own families. He said nothing about homosexuals creating new families of their own through adoption or surrogates.

Catholic doctrine, reflecting natural law, clearly states that homosexual persons should refrain from same-sex activity and relationships that lead to mortal sin.

After so much hoopla in the press, a year later in 2021, Pope Francis approved a message from the Vatican that “the Roman Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex marriages, no matter how stable or positive the couples’ relationships are. To clarify, the Church calls on Catholics to “welcome with respect and sensitivity persons with homosexual inclinations” and does allow giving blessings to homosexual people, but “does not have, and cannot have,” the power to bless same-sex relationships.

The Vatican emphasizes that “God does not and cannot bless sin.”

Only time will tell whether Catholics, having heard conflicting messages, understand and accept Church teaching. In the meantime, we will continue to bless and pray for our brethren with same-sex inclinations and stand firm that marriage is a sacramental union between one man and one woman.