A cause for celebration

1 Maccabees 4: 36-59

It is that time of year. The time when churches have what is politely called "The Stewardship Campaign". They usually claim that they want us to assess how what part of our t"time money and talents" we would like to devote to church life. But usually the forms only include a line for signing away our money, no mention of talents and time.
I can resent the time I spend on church activities just as much as the money which flies electronically from my bank account to theirs.
What I think is so important about this passage from the Apocrypha, a part of the Bible which i usually avoid using a basis for my thoughts is that the Israelites celebrated their giving.