This series looks at the lectionary passages and offers comments and suggestions for treating the issue of stewardship. This material is somewhat dated, but there are some nuggets of wisdom here. God s Kingdom will always makes its real advances on the strength of the gifts of cheerful givers. Gifts given in any other spirit always cost more than they are worth. They leave a backwash of pessimism and discouragement.
Grateful gifts bless the church with an optimistic and aggressive spirit.
Personal questions emerge from these basic truths. If you do not have a thankful heart, it would be better that you gave nothing until you found some real motivation. When you make your discovery, you will never be able to give enough. Wealth and Poverty in Biblical Perspective Interpretation 41, no. This is a classic treatment of the parables based on Dodd s 1935 lectures at Yale University.