By the Rev. Canon Robert Rizner
Retired Priest

Not long after my confirmation in Gainesville, Fla., in 1953, Bishop Henry Loutitt of the Diocese of South Florida wrote a letter that strongly suggested all Episcopalians should tithe.

Two friends and I agreed to begin tithing on Ash Wednesday. We also agreed that every Sunday we would add a dollar for every bad word spoken during the week.

In a few months, I realized that my stewardship of time and talent had begun to change. I was asked to teach an eighth-grade boy’s Sunday school class, “just this one time.” That one time lasted about two years and was a valuable experience. I also had become an usher, a Boy Scout leader, a greeter at both services and a vestry member. When I made the commitment to tithe, time and talent easily followed as did a deeper commitment to God.

In 1956, the company for which I worked transferred me to Orlando. I went to the cathedral, and Dean Osborne Littleford told me, “Glad you’re here. I will see you at the young adults’ meeting tonight at 7:30, but first, you will want to be at benediction at seven.”

In 1958, after becoming a lay reader, a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and a member of the Order of St. Luke, I again spoke to the dean and then to the bishop about a possible call to ordained ministry. Each said, “I have been waiting for you to ask.” I was in seminary in New York City in the fall of 1959.

When we married in 1971, my wife and I both were faithful Christians who believed in and practiced tithing. We continue to follow the biblical standard of sharing 10 percent of our income and frequently give beyond that.

Tithing and giving are not so much obligations as expressions of gratitude to Almighty God for our many blessings. Everything we have is God’s; we do not own anything, but we are stewards who appreciate the lives we’ve been given.

Before retiring 12 years ago, I served 20 years as rector of St. Mary of the Angels in Orlando. This church of 300 members was without endowments. During those years, we became known as a sharing parish. Giving to others was a high priority. We shared from the plate and pledge offering for the mission of the church and gave to other organizations that helped the poor and the needy. Our goal for giving outside of the parish was 50 percent; we reached 47.5 percent.

Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori has led our church to endorse the Millennium Development Goals. The goals articulate the goals and activities of the Episcopal Church as we follow our Lord’s teachings: feed the hungry, clothe the needy, provide shelter and care for widows and orphans.

We find now that we can “make poverty history” if we and our governments contribute as little as 0.7 percent of our income to the task. Let us make a strong commitment to increase our giving and meet the Millennium Development Goals. Giving through Episcopal Relief and Development is an ideal way to contribute.

In closing, three thoughts:

1) Every adult should have a current will;

2) Every person should be a good steward of the environment;

3) and from Cedric Coad, a faithful Christian, “Friends, remember, shrouds have no pockets – give away what you have now, while you can.”

For more information about stewardship in the Diocese of East Tennessee, contact Herb Berl, the diocesan stewardship officer, at stewardship@etdiocese.net or 865-966-2110.