Stewardship – Not That Time of Year Again!!
by René Myers, New Beginnings Church of Fontana, California
Stewardship – it’s a word that evokes something in each of us. What is it for you? Do you get a sense of annoyance that it is that time of year, and we have to hear about how we need to give to the annual budget of our local church? Do you recoil if asked to serve on the Stewardship Committee for fear you will have to ask people for money? Or do you get a sense of deep spiritual calling?
I lament that we have allowed our culture to rob us of the rich spiritual concept of stewardship. Stewardship really has nothing to do with budgets. That’s right! And we need to give, not because the church needs the money – and time – but we need to give, because we need to give! Stewardship is not an annual campaign, it is not a once-a-year activity, it’s a way of life – life in God. The Biblical definition of a steward is someone who owns virtually nothing, but is tasked with the responsibility of managing another’s property. As Christians – children of God and heirs with Christ – we are entrusted with everything we have, including our very lives.
One of six core values published by Presbyterian World Mission is Stewardship. I believe it describes very clearly and very eloquently what stewardship should be for us as Christians.
“From the beginning God has called humankind to care for the created order; therefore, we will strive to restore God’s creation and to use its resources respectfully and responsibly. We, as individuals and as an organization, with all that we have belong to God; therefore, we place under the Lordship of Christ our time, talents, and financial resources; our political and economic choices; our relationships; and our very lives.”
We are called each year at this time to reflect on our own stewardship. How will we manage the life, and all that encompasses it, that God has entrusted to each of us as individuals, and as churches? Will we respond to this call as a “giver” or as a “steward”? The perspective of each is different. The “giver” will ask, “How much of what I have will I return to God?” The “steward”, however, will ask, “How much of what is God’s will I keep for myself?” Scripture tells us to “…strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Another question is fundamental for us as Christians: “Do we truly believe in a God of abundance?” If so, we will be less likely to act from fear of not having enough and understand that God multiplies every investment we make in the kingdom.
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:10-12)
This passage reminds me of my experience during a visit to Israel. We visited many wonderfully interesting places, but here I want to focus on two very different bodies of water. The first is the Sea of Galilee which is lush, bordered by crops and teeming with fish. The second body is very, very different. Although beautiful in its own right, absolutely nothing grows in or around it. Its name describes it; it is the Dead Sea. I wondered what made these two bodies of water, that were so close geographically, so different. Here is the difference: Water flows into the Sea of Galilee and it produces life. This is possible because the inland sea releases the water out through the Jordan River. The Dead Sea takes in water, but it releases it nowhere; it gives to nothing. And in so doing, it closes in on itself, and it literally dies. I would offer our lives as analogies to these bodies of water from our holy land. If we take in all that God entrusts to us and do not find ways to give back – to invest in the kingdom of God – we will close in on ourselves and die, at least spiritually.
During this time when we are called to make our intentions known to our churches, or developing our church budgets, in other words, discerning in what way we will utilize the resources and the life entrusted to us by God, how will we respond? God does not call us to do more than we are able; but God does call us to do what we are able. Will we act from a position of fear borne of belief in scarcity? Or will we boldly invest in our God of abundance from a position of love and faith?
”Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:13-15)