Stewardship

Orthodox Christian stewardship is a sacred calling to care for the gifts God has entrusted to us, including our time, material resources, the natural world, and our relationships with others. In the Orthodox tradition, stewardship goes beyond financial contributions; it encompasses a life of gratitude, humility, and responsibility, expressing our faith and love for God in all that we do. As faithful stewards, we are encouraged to use our blessings wisely, supporting those in need and contributing to the vitality of our church community through donations of time, talents, and financial resources. These offerings sustain the ministries and outreach efforts that serve both our parish and the wider community. By giving generously of ourselves—whether through service or material support—we follow Christ’s example of selfless love, nurturing a community of faith, compassion, and unity.

Saint John Chrysostom:

"The things that we have are not ours, but they belong to our Lord. We are but their stewards. If we have them in our power, it is in order that we may dispense them for the good of others."

Saint John Chrysostom consistently emphasized that all material wealth and resources are ultimately from God, and it is our duty to manage them with compassion and generosity.

Saint Basil the Great:

"The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat hanging unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the one who has no shoes; the money which you hoard up belongs to the poor."

Saint Basil highlighted the idea that true Christian stewardship involves recognizing that excess possessions are not truly ours if they are needed by others.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I:

"To commit a crime against the natural world is a sin. For humans to cause species to become extinct and to destroy the biological diversity of God’s creation... for humans to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing changes in its climate, by stripping the earth of its natural forests, or destroying its wetlands... for humans to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air, and its life, all of these are sins."

Often called the "Green Patriarch," Bartholomew has spoken extensively on ecological stewardship, urging Orthodox Christians to see the care of the environment as a vital part of their faith.

Saint Maximus the Confessor:

"The one who loves God cannot help but love every man as himself... He cannot keep anything for himself but rather shares freely, imitating God’s mercy."

This teaching reflects the Orthodox view of stewardship, emphasizing that love for God naturally translates into love and service for others, including the sharing of resources.

Saint Ephraim the Syrian:

"If you would be Christ's disciple, then imitate His poverty and humility. Do not withhold your possessions from those who need them, that Christ may also give you His kingdom."

Saint Ephraim reminds the faithful that stewardship is not only about money but about humility and generosity with all our resources, mirroring Christ's example of selfless love.

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware:

"Each person is called to be a microcosm, a mediator, and a co-creator. We are placed in the world to unify and to reconcile, not to dominate and exploit."

Metropolitan Ware speaks of human responsibility to creation and others, underscoring the Orthodox vision of stewardship as a call to unity and cooperation with God's will for creation.

Saint Seraphim of Sarov:

"Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved."

While not directly about material stewardship, this quote conveys the idea that peace and love radiated by individuals through humble, responsible lives have a profound impact on the world, including how we approach sharing our resources and time.