Shifting Morality of America

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flag and CrossAt yet another anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of America, we at the Stewardship Foundation reflect on our credos: freedom of religion, marriage between one man and one woman, sanctity of human life, and traditional family values based on Judeo-Christian beliefs. We are concerned about the shifting cultural attitudes and moral values of our citizens.

According to Gallup, 72% of Americans agree that the state of moral values in America is getting worse than better in this country, while there is a palpable shift to the left on specific moral issues like same sex marriage, euthanasia, abortion, and gender identification. Why the difference between values and issues?

When the Gallup pole asked Americans to talk about what was wrong with religious moral values, many responded this way:

  • We need to be considerate of others and their choices
  • We can’t allow deficits in public compassion
  • We must be respectful and tolerant of others
  • We can’t allow greed, selfishness, or dishonesty to rule the day

Our modern culture seems to look askance at biblical principles when there’s a chance that someone’s feelings might be hurt. And according to Gallup, these responses aren’t just from the 18- to 34-year-olds but to those 55 and over as well.

Our commitment to morally responsible investing is not to be confused with socially responsible investments (climate change, animal rights, etc.). In 2009, there was another “declaration” affirmed by notable religious leaders in New York City responding to a “call of Christian conscience”. This declaration affirms, without reservation, the dignity of life, that marriage between a man and a woman is the most basic institution in society, and because all men are made by God to be inherently free, religious liberty.

We patriotically embrace the original declaration of 1776, but we will never waver from the moral declaration of 2009 that shaped the roots of the Stewardship Foundation.

The Joy of Stewardship

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After taking a look at the financial state of Americans, we were moved to reflect on the biblical passage that was literally the foundation of the Stewardship Foundation—the story of the good and faithful servant in Matthew’s Parable of the Talents.

money-card-business-credit-card-50987The average American gross income is currently $71,258. That seems like good news until we realize that the average American household with a mortgage and other loans is $132,539 in debt, including an average $16,061 on credit cards.

According to IRS data for 2015, only 30% of Americans claim a charitable contribution deduction on their taxes. We might assume that some who didn’t itemize their deductions also gave, simply because Americans are generous to those less fortunate.

It’s good to remind our younger generation that they should carefully choose how they give. For example, only donations to qualified charitable organizations are deductible. If you’re not sure, we can verify this for you, or you can search for a charity on a site like Charity Navigator.

While handouts to the homeless or contributions to GoFundMe are worthy acts of charity, these are considered “personal gifts” and are not deductible. You may remember the 2015 news story about Casey Charf. While being treated in the hospital for a car accident, Casey’s doctors found she had a rare, seemingly incurable cancer requiring immediate treatment. The $50,000 she and her sister raised on GoFundMe triggered a $19,000 bill from the IRS.

When you give, keep receipts, even for cash. The same applies for payroll deductions should your employer run a charitable giving campaign. Remember too that if you receive something in exchange for your donation, whether a basket of goodies at a silent auction or a t-shirt, you have to deduct the fair market value of the incentive gift.

One of the most important charitable avenues often overlooked is giving appreciated assets. Donating property that has appreciated in value, like stock, can be highly beneficial. Call us if you want to explore how to receive a double benefit from donations of appreciated assets.

Do either our giving patterns or our own money problems, real or perceived, prevent us from remembering whose resources we’re managing? Are not our time, talents, skills, and health all tools to help us share with others, do good for others, and use them to glorify God? We exist to help others find the joy in stewardship in practical, financially beneficial ways, but also because it’s our credo and commitment to God.

Sanctity of Marriage and Agape

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Mary, the mother of Christ, married to Joseph, is especially celebrated in the Catholic Church during the month of May. In Protestant churches, Mary is celebrated as an ordinary woman who was intensely devoted to God. For both, she is considered “blessed among women” and an outstanding example of a life dedicated to God. Mary was a married woman, and for this reason, we ponder what the biblical writers would or could have written about the love between her and her spouse.

Marriage in itself can be described as a continuous journey of man and woman on a path toward holiness, strengthened by grace and sprinkled with the gift of welcoming and educating their children.

loving coupleAccording to Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Marriage, “We have to stop asking of marriage what God never designed it to give—perfect happiness, conflict-free living, and idolatrous obsession.” He describes marriage as a partnership where one man and one woman share spiritual intimacy and, because they are gifted with strength from one another, work to perfect the techniques and abilities to pursue God together.

At the Stewardship Foundation, one of our pillars is sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman. While we know very little about the marriage between Mary and Joseph, we can reasonably assume it was one of love, honor, and agape. For Catholics, the book “The Seven Big Myths About Marriage” by Christopher and Jennifer Kaczor describes the the foundation of married happiness as agape—the choice to do good for the other. Ignatius Press

Agape can be further described as goodwill, benevolence, and willful delight in the object of love. These translate to faithfulness, commitment, and acts of the will toward the good of another.

It is no wonder that, in so many Christian marriage ceremonies, the scripture most often read is 1 Corinthians 13:1-13:

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.