In this week’s Epistle reading, the Apostle Paul writes, “Brethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Fr. Micah explains that this passage is about giving out of love, not giving out of a desire for personal gain. 

When we give to those in need, we are encountering Christ himself, who said, “What you have done for the least of these, my brethren, you have done for me.” St. Gregory the Theologian, speaking of charity, said, “My brothers and sisters, let us go and find Christ, let us feed him, let us clothe him, let us bind his wounds, for those who are in need are the living image of Christ.”

Fr. Micah goes on to say that the greatness of wealth is not in acquisition or storing up, but rather the greatest joy is to give. When we give out of love, this joy is realized and the blessing we receive is far greater than material acquisition. This is the very heart of the idea of stewardship: when we give to the Church, we do not lose we have given. Rather, what we give has been blessed.

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