Stewardship is giving freely of your time, talent and treasure to promote God's Kingdom on earth. Don't think you have "treasure" to share? Take another look -- you might be surprised! Time and talents are also treasures that help to spread God's Word and build up His Kingdom.
God has created me to do some definite service.
God has committed some work to me which has not been committed to another.
I have my mission.
I may never know what it is in this life, but I shall be told in the next.
I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.
God has not created me for nothing.
I shall do good. I shall do God's work.
Therefore I will trust Him - whatever, wherever I am.
- Meditations and Devotions of St. John Henry Newman (1893)
Christ Needs Us - He Has No Hands But Yours.
While on leave during World War II, some soldiers gathered the scattered pieces of a statue of Jesus that had been shattered during a bombing raid. They were able to reassemble the statue from the fragments - all except for the hands, which they were unable to find. One of the soldiers titled the statue "He Has No Hands But Yours."
Does Christ really need us? Yes.
Christ has no body on earth but His Church,
no hands on earth but our hands.
Ours are the eyes
through which God looks with compassion upon the world.
Ours are the feet
with which God chooses to go about doing good.
For as Christ is the head of His body the Church,
so we are the members
I offer this day to you, dear God.
Thank you for the blessings you have given me.
May I use these gifts to build your kingdom.
May my actions be a reflection of your love.
May what I do today bring others closer to you.
May my words be kind and gentle and may they bring joy to others.
Today, help me to give back a portion of what you have given me.
I ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
God created everyone with a purpose! All of our talents, blessings and all that we have are gifts from God. Stewardship is the management of these gifts in such a way that gives back to God in thankfulness for His generosity and great love for us.
Everything God has given us is intended to serve the divine plan – our life is to be lived in gratitude to God. Stewardship is using the gifts God gave us, to do the work God is calling us to do.
“To whom much is given much is required.”
(Luke 12: 48)
Stewardship is another name for generous giving. When we "count our blessings" we discover that we should thank God by "giving back." We give of our time, talent and treasure to build up the kingdom of God.
“What shall I return to the Lord for all His bounty to me?”
(Psalm 116: 12)
Stewardship is not a code word for fundraising; it’s a way of life. The best place to be good stewards is in our parish which is the local expression of the Universal Church and the kingdom of God in progress!
No one can say they have nothing to give. If a person can bake cookies for a parish event - that is stewardship. If a person can make a few phone calls for a parish project - that is stewardship. If someone can contribute the talent of a musical instrument for worship - that is stewardship. If someone can help teach - that is stewardship. If someone can give five dollars or five thousand dollars - that is stewardship.
“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)
The spirit of stewardship is illustrated in the story of the poor widow:
"When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. he said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." (Luke 21: 1-4)
“To each individual the manifestation of the spirit is given for some benefit.”
(1 Corinthians 12: 7)
Service to the church is more than volunteerism. The word volunteer denotes a momentary commitment without a calling. A Minister is a good Steward who answers Jesus’ call to discipleship.
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.”
(Matthew 20: 28)