Stewardship … what is it and why is it important?
A definition of stewardship, from the dictionary:
“The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.”
A description of stewardship, from the Bible (Romans 12: 10-13):
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
In other words, stewardship is not just something you do. It’s a lifestyle, an attitude, a mindset.
Just as Christmas and Easter aren’t the only time to think about Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection, a stewardship campaign is not the only time to consider how blessed we are and to show gratitude through service and generosity to God and our fellow humans. It is a reminder to refocus our thoughts, words and actions; to prefer others over ourselves, both within the church family and beyond.
Stewardship is often referred to as using our ‘Time, Talents and Treasures’ for God’s glory.
This year at Lord of Grace, we are faced with the challenge of determining who our next pastor will be. How does that tie into the theme of stewardship?
We can use some of our time to pray for the person God has chosen to fill this role and for those who have stepped up within the congregation to facilitate the process. We can participate in the cottage meetings to shape the future direction of Lord of Grace.
We can use our talents (and we all have some) to keep the day-to-day and Sunday activities of the church running smoothly and to help the cottage meetings be as productive as possible.
The treasures aspect of stewardship requires no explanation, but is highly significant. The pastoral search and calling process comes with costs beyond our regular expenses. Please prayerfully consider the possibility of contributing anything toward that end.
As if God’s incredible grace, mercy and the promise of eternity with Him aren’t enough, He lavishes so many wonderful gifts on us here and now. Not just enough to get by, but an abundance. It is all from him anyway, so it seems only fitting to give whatever we can, literally and figuratively in response.
Joe Gross
on behalf of the Stewardship Committee