I think faith is the opposite of fear. There is fear that keeps us alive (we don't step out in front of a bus). But I'm talking about fear that holds us back--fear of the future. Faith is instead being unswerving in times of uncertainty and living in the present.
It's easy to fear during these uncertain times, especially about our finances. (The stock market crashed and has not recovered very much; houses are not selling or selling at reduced prices; people are losing their homes; there is a reluctance to purchase goods and for businesses to expand; the job market is sluggish.) These concerns affect all of us.
So, it is natural to feel cautious about giving our money away. Rather, our instinct is to hoard and hold on to our resources--we want to have something to "fall back on," and to "see us through."
Do I then dare give my money to good causes or to increase my pledge? When I hold back, I realize my faith is being governed by my fear--fear of the unknown, of the future. And when I take time to scan my body, I notice it is gripping and tight, not open and light. This is not how I want to live. I do not want to live from a fear place. I have made a commitment to live from a faith place--trusting that God/Spirit/ the Universe cares for me each moment of my life--living in the now. That, even if the feared "bad thing" happens, "I am safe in the arms of God," a phrase I use to remind me of my faith when I am feeling anxious.
Stewardship of my faith asks me to dare to live with trust. One experiment I have made is to tithe 10% of my earnings from my psychotherapy practice to charity right off the top, before I bank or spend them. These offerings are small, but it is my intention that guards my faith. I found out it is fun to choose the charity of the week! I also discovered that tithing my income caused me to feel light, open, and even joyful! My heart is open, I am coming from a faith place, not a fear place.
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