Generosity & Stewardship: “It All Belongs to God…”

by Annette Citzler

Growing up, generosity was simply part of family life.

My maternal Grandad (who was an early treasurer at St. Paul) carried mail until he was 70 years old and never worried once about a paycheck. During the Depression, however, he carried a tin cup around the town square collecting donations to help pay the pastor’s salary. This experience perhaps made him the miser he was later, so it was my parents who taught me by example what it meant to give. They were tithers. Dad wrote the first check to the church before paying the bills, while Mom also worked full-time to provide for our family’s needs.

Their generosity reached far beyond our congregation. They supported AMEN food pantry, Lutherhill, Texas Lutheran University, the Brenham Mission Society, the new city pool, the new hospital, Festival Hill at Round Top, TAMU (Dad’s alma mater), and many other causes. My grandmother shared that same spirit, opening her “Dogwood cabin” on Buckner’s Creek Bottom so our church youth could gather for retreats and outings.
As a very young child, my parents pinned a nickel to my dress each Sunday for the offering. That simple act taught me an important lesson: it’s God’s money, not mine.

Over the years, travel has reinforced that lesson. When you have spent time in the homes of people living in poverty around the world, it becomes harder to focus only on yourself. Giving changes you. It frees you from worry and teaches you to let go.

My hope for our congregation is that we would be able to teach the joy of giving. Put God to the test. I have never regretted giving generously, and I have never met anyone else who regretted it either.

At St. Paul, we are blessed to be a blessing. Thank you for the prayers, service, leadership, and financial generosity that help us Share, Care, and Grow together.