Stewardship

Stewardship

Stewardship is a form of worshiping God. Why should we practice good stewardship? Out of love for Him. Why? Because He first loved us.

When we think of stewardship we often think first of the financial contribution we make to the church, which certainly is an important part of stewardship along with the support we provide other charitable causes. Currently we have the opportunity and obligation to provide for our brothers and sisters affected by the two hurricanes which recently devastated areas of the south. Our stewardship may be in the form of feeding the hungry through ongoing support of the Food Pantry or providing clothing to those in our community who are in need.

Supporting missions or becoming a part of a mission are important forms of stewardship. These missions are charged with taking the Good News to the world, to those children of God who otherwise may never hear the story of Jesus and the salvation provide by God through His Son.

But stewardship covers a much broader range of topics than just finances. For example, the use of our spiritual gifts and talents that God has provided so that we may accomplish the ministry that He also provides for us. Giving of ourselves is one of the first principles of a disciple of Christ. This form of stewardship might take the form of visiting shut-ins and the ill who are hospitalized. It might take the form of taking a meal to a family who has recently experienced the death of a loved one or providing a compassionate ear to a loved one in distress. Stewardship can also be in the form of the celebration of the good blessings God provides a friend.

Stewardship is a year round, life long responsibility for those of us who have been so generously blessed by our Lord. It is an ongoing awareness of the blessings God provides to us so that we may share those blessings with others. Just as He poured Himself out for us, we are to pour ourselves out for others.