Faith and Generosity - Diocese of Winchester

Faith & Generosity

Faith & Generosity

It is undeniable that in recent years, both locally and nationally, we have been talking increasingly about money. At the same time we recognise that over many centuries, Christians have responded to the call of faith by living generously – firm in the knowledge that giving, whether it be ministering to the poor, supporting the ministry of the Church, or giving to charitable causes – is the inescapable response to a trusting faith in our generous God.

One response to the need to talk about generosity is to view this through the lens of stewardship – the responsible management of God’s gifts to us. This is a worthwhile approach and yet there is an alternative which may be more fruitful; this is to learn to live generously, to live ‘in tune’ with God, as Christ did.

God has given us a choice – we can choose to be self-reliant, self-sufficient – a choice which distances us from God – or we can choose to be God-reliant, choose to trust God and grow closer to Him.

There are practical steps we can take to live faithfully and generously as ‘people of God’ (1 Peter 2:10). We hope you will find here resources that will help your parishes/churches to encourage faithful generosity – a generosity towards God and neighbour that help us to grow in the knowledge of God; grow in the understanding that generosity is fundamental to our faith and trust in Him whose immeasurable love for us is our Salvation.