Stewardship Reflections - 2008
Stewardship Reflections 2007
6 April
“But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
The life of stewardship eventually causes a person to ask the “why” question. Why was I born? What is the purpose of my life? Or, as one person put it, “What on earth am I supposed to do for heaven’s sake?”
30 March
“He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him upon his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.” (Luke 10:34)
Stewardship is opening our hearts, schedules and hands to others---being available and willing to listen and give our time and our love. Those we give to neighbors, fellow parishioners as well as those who are hurting.
23 March
“Not everyone who says to me,’Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Acts 4:32)
Stewardship can help us focus on doing the will of God which draws us to use our uniqueness to give of our time, talent and treasure. This giving not only helps those in need, but also addresses our desire to do His will.
24 February
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.” (Acts 4:32)
Stewardship brings our faith community together as we share our gifts of time, talent and treasure. We come to believe for ourselves, as we see the goodness that comes from our community stewardship.
17 February
“For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct. Matt 16:27)
Stewardship is the act of giving of all we have through our time, talent and treasure, thereby demonstrating our desire to be disciples, living good conduct, anticipating being with God.
10 February
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.”(Matt: 6:1)
Stewards can be tempted to boast, but true stewardship, which is the freewill giving of our time, talent and treasure, is never pretentious but always offered in humility.
3 February
“Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.” (Matt:5:7)
Stewardship offers an opportunity for exhibiting mercy. As we offer ourselves by sharing our time, talent and treasure in ministries of social justice, we are living this beatitude, and can be encouraged by its promise.
27 January
Stewards Acknowledge Giver
“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
In stewardship we recognize that the source of all our gifts is God. We grow in understanding when we strive to return in gratitude the blessings of our time, talent and treasure.
20 January
Stewards Give in Acts of Thanksgiving
“For the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.” (2Corin. 9:12)
Stewards use their gifts to excel in good deeds, to give more not less. Stewards can never reach God’s generosity when giving in response to and thanksgiving for our blessings.
6 January
“Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)
Stewards follow the command to be rich in good works by giving generously of their time, talent and treasure. This allows them to experience God’s love which is made real through actions of their Stewardship.
30 December
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Christian Stewards receive God’s gifts gratefully, cherish their gifts responsibly, share their gifts of time, talent and treasure in justice and love returning these gifts with increase.
18 November
“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.” (Luke 6:43-44a)
Our stewardship can be a path for living a life which bears good fruit. As we share our time, talent and treasure by giving fully to the parish ministries where we are each uniquely called to serve.
11 November
“Thus should one regard us: as servents of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”
(1 Corinthian 4: 1& 2)
A steward’s trustworthy response is to recognize all our gifts (life, time, abilities, financial) as from God, and to offer these gifts in stewardship to serve God and love one another.
04 November
Stewards Are Chosen & Appointed
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.” (John 15:16)
Having been chosen, a steward accepts the responsibility to work to bear fruit with an open heart. When conscious intentional stewardship of time, talent and treasure is given freely, the resulting goodness is promised to remain permanently.
23 September
Stewardship Teachers Children
“When a man walks in integrity and justice, happy are his children after him!” Prov.20:7
By giving of their time, talent and treasure in stewardship, parents teach children integrity and justice by example. Children who learn about God through the lives of their parents experience true happiness.
16 September
Stewardship Requires Trust
“My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philipp. 4:19
In a culture where more is better, we can easily grow out of touch with the simple pleasures of our basic needs. The stewardship way of giving to others and trusting God to fully supply whatever we need, can bring us closer to understanding God’s love and promise to be with us always.
9 September
Stewards Have Enough
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what oyu have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind." Hebrews 13:16
Stewardship giving is pleasing to God and always brings blessings. However, if you don't share what you have, you will never have enough.
2 September
Stewardship Path to Abundant Grace
“Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
Stewards understand that much is required of those to whom much is given. They are trusted to use the abundance they are given to make the world a better place. When Stewardship is lived out in this way, we find through our blessings that God’s returned goodness cannot be outdone.