Let's Talk  more about Stewardship and Stewards

As you know, this past year we embarked upon the concept of stewardship and focused in on the sharing of our time.  Come this fall, we will introduce the notion of stewardship of treasure. This is the third of a series of articles on treasure.  (Review other articles -- see bottom of page.)

Christian stewardship -- 

• is the recognition of God's sovereignty through His creation and our grateful response to God's many gifts.  Our response should be expressed by a joyful and loving use of all His gifts. Christian stewardship is a response to the love of God and is expressed in terms of sharing of all our treasure.

Christian stewards --

• accept life, including their talents, power, influence, and money as special gifts from God and relationship with God.  These persons will seek to develop these gifts to the fullest, and strive to use body and mind and talents for God's purpose.
  

• accept the family as a gift from God and seek to provide the environment in which each member can realize his or her potential.  Every person is accepted as a child of God, of equal value, and the exploitation of any person by other individuals, groups, or systems is rejected.
  

• accept the Church (us) as a gift from God, and seek to assure through relationships the extension of God's love into our parish, community, the whole world.
  

• accept the gospel as a gift from God, seek to understand it fully, and strive to be faithful custodians of its freeing and reconciling truth.  They strive to proclaim it to others so that they may see its  reconciling relationship to the whole of life.
  

• accept material treasure as a gift from God to share especially with those in need.  They use the power of wealth as God would have us do.
  

• accept power and influence as a gift from God and strive to administer them according to the purposes of God.  They encourage others to do likewise, harming no one.
  

• accept this world with its tremendous treasure as a gift from God, seeking to understand where God is in the events of history and in technological developments. They strive to penetrate the secular world with the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Christian stewards, by the gifts and grace of God are free willed.  They can remain aloof doing nothing to develop any of the gifts of God.  They can refuse to recognize any stewardship responsibilities or they can recognize God's sovereignty and respond in love to develop these gifts and treasure for the need of others.  The Christian steward whose life and talents and treasure are totally committed to God's purposes is sanctified, and a blessing to the world.

Then he also said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?  Luke 16:1-3a

 

Reflection:

• What would you do if God said you are not to be a steward any longer. How would this effect you, your family, your relations with others, your job?
• What would your interview with God be like?

    Perhaps a good reflection to keep in mind as we journey in the Stewardship of Treasure is to again read the "Interview with God."

Stewardship of Treasure -- We Are Blest!

    "They all ate and were satisfied.  And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets." Luke 9:17

The story of the loaves and fishes show us that when we share what we have -- even if it does not seem much - miracles happen.  God blesses the gifts we offer and makes them wondrous.

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