The following modern day parable comes from the Lilburn, Georgia, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church newsletter:

Now it came to pass on a day at noon that I was the guest of a certain businessman. And the lunch was enjoyed at a popular restaurant. And the waiter there was very efficient. And the food was very good. Now when the end of the meal was at hand the waiter brought the host the check. As we arose to depart, I observed that he laid some money under the edge of his plate. I know not what the amount was; howbeit the waiter who stood nearby smiled happily, which being interpreted means the tip was satisfactory.

Now this parable entereth not into the merits or demerits of tipping but, as I meditate on the money that becomes tips throughout the nation, I think of tips and tithes. For the proverbial tip should be at least a tithe, lest the waiter turn against us. As I continue to think of these things, it comes to me that few people who go to church treat their God as well as their waiter. For they give unto the waiter a tithe plus one-half; but unto God they give what they think they can get away with. Verily, doth the human creature fear the waiter more than the Creator? And do we love God less than we love the waiter? Or does the waiter do more for us than God?

Stewardship is something we do! I confess that I borrowed this sermon title from Frederick B. Speakman's sermon and book, Love Is Something You Do. It is Speakman's contention that love is not just poetic words, romantic feelings, lyrical thoughts, or beautiful attitudes, but action. Love is a happening! It is something we do!

Stewardship is something we do, too! It is an action we take and in which we involve ourselves. It is not just hard, cold cash; a check easily written and never missed; or old clothes that are too small or out of style or not to our liking.

Stewardship is Christians in action! It is exciting, adventuresome, soul-stirring. It is the people of God eagerly, freely giving money that the work of Christ might continue. I ask you, where else in all history, in all the world, in all time, could you find anything to compare? Stewardship is God's people in action.

The apostle Paul had something to say to the Corinthians and us about the doing of "giving": "Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Individual Christians do have a choice -- a decision about how much they will give to the work of the church. The originating action and attitude comes from God; we give because He first gave to us. And action begets action! If we are God's people, if we are followers of the Christ, then we will be and do as our Lord and Master does -- and give cheerfully.

Paul continues: "And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work."

The point being made here is fundamental to all fund-raising. People are inherently selfish. They are going to be certain there is enough money, food, good things, etc., to take care of themselves, their families and their loved ones before they give to God, charities, or "the starving people of Africa." The personal decision of "how much" is a scary one. It is difficult for many of us to feel safe and secure enough to make a pledge of money to the church. If it is "enough" that we are waiting for, it will never happen. We're looking for the solution to our problem from the wrong end. For most of us, there never was, there is not now, and there never will be "enough"! Only God is "able to give you more than you need so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good work" (TEV).