Tag Archives: financial stewardship

We Believe… in Transformational Giving.

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Psalm 24:1 tells us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” 

Last month we looked back on the Fifth Credo of the Stewardship Foundation — belief in the sanctity of human life, marriage between one man and one woman, sexual morality, religious freedom, and the rights of conscience. Our June message focused on the moral liberalism rampant in today’s society and in the press’s coverage of events. If you missed it, read it here.

This month we return to our First Credo, transformational giving. The one guiding question that permeates our thinking at the Stewardship Foundation is “where is your heart?” Within this question several others beg to be asked, such as, “what is the treasure you seek?”; “how much wealth is enough for you and your family?” and, “what does God expect of you?”

We encourage our clients to examine their giving motives, to more deeply explore where their hearts are leading them. It’s been said that what motivates us is revealed when we examine how we spend our time, and where we spend our money. Our purpose is to help connect our clients with the worthy charities and nonprofits that advance these passions and individual motivations.

Stewardship is a theological belief that humans are responsible for the world and should take care and look after it; to use and manage the resources given by God for His glory and the betterments of His creation. So how does it work?

We believe that Stewardship works when you identify where your hearts and passions lead you; when they are willing to seek, and share the treasure God desires for you. Stewardship works when you realistically define what is necessary to provide for your family now and in the future, and, most importantly, stewardship works when you honor what God expects of you.

This journey of financial stewardship involves a process of understanding, acknowledging, accepting, and acting. We embrace the opportunity to partner with you on this journey. Please share this message with like-minded friends and family, and call us at (614) 800-7985.

Looking Back on the Journey

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It was May of 2012 when we began to use our blog to muse about why the Stewardship Foundation was founded, what we believe in, and it should matter to our investors and friends.

In 2009, some Christians gathered in New York City and drafted a declaration that became a “call of Christian Conscience” and we responded by mirroring their stated moral principles:

  • Sanctity of human life
  • Dignity of marriage as a union between husband and wife
  • Freedom of conscience and religion

With this as a basis, we wrote our Credo of Beliefs:

We believe… in transformational giving.

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

We believe… that transformational giving is not about the bottom line, but about the heart.

We believe… that transformational giving creates partnerships that impact entire communities.

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

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.

In 2021, we stand firm to this Credo. No news story headline, political debate, popular media, or “woke conscience” can deter us from these beliefs because they are founded in Scripture. 

To read the original text, use either the Internet’s “wayback machine” (sites such as the Manhattan Declaration may be removed at any time), or the original archive here.

If you feel strongly, as we do, and you haven’t signed the Declaration yet, you can still sign it here.

This journey of financial stewardship involves a process of understanding, acknowledging, accepting, and acting with awareness and intent. We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with you on this journey.

Stewardship is Our Journey

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At the core of The Stewardship Foundation’s core beliefs is the biblical story of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) where Christ teaches that to those who are entrusted with much, whether it be money, assets or non-financial riches, much is expected.

As stewards of our clients’ investment choices, we often reflect on our mission and how well we communicate this to our friends, family, and the clients who entrust us with their financial future everyday.

all saintsAs Peter preached to the early Christians, and what is still our personal challenge today, “Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet 4:8-11)

Yes, our vocation is to be “good stewards” of other people’s money, and we certainly try hard to do that with strength and without complaining, though since October we’ve been tempted to throw darts at a photo of the Merrill Lynch bull.

According the U.S. Bishop’s Pastoral Letter on Stewardship, under Obstacles to Stewardship, we read…

At times, we can find it far too easy to ignore spiritual realities and to deny religion a role in shaping human and social values. As Catholics who have entered into the mainstream of American society and experienced its advantages, many of us also have been adversely influenced by this secular culture. We know what it is to struggle against selfishness and greed, and we realize that it is harder for many today to accept the challenge of being a Christian steward. It is essential, therefore, that we make a special effort to understand the true meaning of stewardship and live accordingly.

As Christmas approaches, let us be reminded to review our roles of Christian Stewardship, and as the Bishops suggest, look to Mary as the ideal steward, living her life in a spirit of fidelity and service.