April 15 marks the annual deadline for Americans to file their income tax returns. One could say it represents “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” whether you are in the 10%, 24%, 37% tax bracket or somewhere in between. This seems like an opportunity to reflect on the percentage of your adjusted income that you set aside for charitable causes.
For us Catholic Americans, the 1992 pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, published by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, inspires us to embrace stewardship as an expression of discipleship. We stewards recognize God as the giver of life and all good gifts that He places in our care. How we spend our time, where we apply our talents, who benefits from our financial resources are amplified through our intentional stewardship.
Today is a good day to reflect upon how you applied your time, abilities and finances during the last year and ponder how you may be more intentional in the year ahead. When it comes to what you return to God through the parish offertory and support for the diocese and Universal Church, does your level of giving fully reflect the gratitude you have toward God for the daily blessings He has entrusted to you? Do you randomly decide each week or do you know well in advance what percentage of income expresses your gratefulness? While many of us are not able to match the 10% to 37% that Caesar takes, there is a quick calculation to help you on your journey.
Let’s assume adjusted income was $47,000. Returning just 5% to God works out to a $47 weekly offering. Similarly, $23 each week works out to 5% of $23,000 annual income. Do you notice the trend? Returning to God a weekly amount equal to the digits to the left of the comma ends up being close to 5% each year. Remember, you still have the remaining 95% for the needs of you and your loved ones. To help you on your path to becoming an intentional steward, enroll in the parish’s online offertory program.
“The life of a Christian steward, lived in imitation of the life of Christ, is challenging, even difficult in many ways; but both here and hereafter it is charged with intense joy.” Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response
