but rather by what you have left."
- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
The parish treasurer had resigned. The parish debt seemed insurmountable. Salaries were not being paid, and little money was available for charity.
In desperation, the pastor asked the local grain manager to help the church by serving as treasurer.
Fine, the man agreed ... but with two stipulations. First, there would be no treasurer's report for the first year. Second, there would be no questions asked for the first year.
The pastor agreed and the man took the job, promising to make a full report after the first year.
The year came and went, and soon the new treasurer was preparing to give his report to the parish council.
The news was good. The parish debt was gone. Salaries were up-to-date and employees even received a raise. There was money in the parish account ... and the parish's charitable donations had increased tenfold.
How did he do it?
The man grinned. "It wasn't hard at all. You all bring your grain to my elevator. Throughout the year, I simply withheld 10 percent on your behalf and gave it to the church.
"You didn't even miss it."
- Little Burgundy Book, Diocese of Saginaw