A Model of Faithful Giving

Two days after Anna Brevard passed from this life, the last check she sent to support the ministry of OCU arrived in the mailroom. It wasn’t the amount of that check but rather the faithful years of Lewis and Anna Brevard’s giving that so clearly spoke of lives characterized by stewardship. That check was the last of many that had been faithfully given to support the ministries they had felt directed to support throughout their lives. Lewis and Anna Brevard were not only faithful in giving of their treasure, but also of their time and talent.A gifted guitarist and singer, Lewis always had a song on his heart from morning until night. He had an exemplary positive attitude that guided his approach to life. As much as he loved to perform, people loved to hear him in small churches and larger venues, including a performance at the Grand Ole Opry with noted guitarist Chet Atkins. Lewis served as the editor and publisher of the denominational magazine, The Advocate. His work was his passion and despite being recruited by other publishers, he remained faithful to the responsibility that he felt God had given him.Anna gave faithfully of her time and talents in the Circleville Public School system. A consummate teacher in and out of the classroom, she found ways to sow into the lives of those around her by helping and affirming them. That positive spirit and godly influence has left an indelible mark in the lives of those she served so faithfully. As her husband was a gifted musician, Anna was gifted at communicating through poetry, and her poems continue to serve as a well of inspiration to those who read them.Lewis and Anna Brevard understood faithfulness as a central component in stewarding their time, talents, and treasure. Their faithful giving demonstrates their belief that all good things come from above, and that while we cannot take treasure with us from this life, we can send it ahead by being faithful in the giving of our time, talents, and treasure.