Over the last 3 weeks, you have hopefully learned the theory of giving taught in the bible and in the Orthodox church.  Today we will learn about how it is practiced, particularly at St. Luke Orthodox Mission.

Two weeks ago we began with an intro that discussed the paradigm shift of viewing your giving as a Sacred Offering.  What does it mean to give an offering?  When we give an offering we give it without expecting anything in return, we give not out of obligation and we give with thanksgiving. Our giving can be seen as a cycle in which God creates all things and gives them as gifts to his stewards, who in thanksgiving for receiving his gifts returns the first and finest as a sacred offering.  

Last week we began with an intro into the paradigm shift of Stewardship vs Ownership.  In stewardship you are given something to manage that was not yours. In ownership you feel that you are the sole owner of everything you have and can do with it as you will. 

There are many reasons we give to Church, some expect blessings, some do so out of obligations and some give as thanksgiving.   As the title suggests the Orthodox Church sees giving as stewardship as a sacred offering.  That requires two paradigm shifts, one to stewardship and a one for giving as an offering.