Stewardship

Utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of God’s creation. (via the Holman Bible Dictionary)

1 Peter 4:10

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

There’s Got To Be Another Word for That

Sometimes I think there should be another word for “stewardship.” It’s always been the word we use to describe the annual emphasis (usually in the fall) on giving financially, usually to your local congregation. Of course, in seminary, we learned that “stewardship” means something else—it means taking care of something that belongs to Someone Else. But still…Part of it is that no one wants to talk about money, and there’s nothing you can do about that. And the word “stewardship” has these connotations about being guilted and shaken down and provoked to “give more” to this institution that pays salaries and has to fix its building. And then we get some money, but it never seems like enough, so a feeling of failure pervades us. But still….Maybe we need a different word, one that somehow brings to our imagination all of the things we can do together, when we pool the resources that God has entrusted us with. Maybe we need a different word, a word that brings to our imaginations the mission of God and all of the resources that God has given us, so that we can share it. Maybe we need a different word, a word that makes us excited for the feast that we will share and the songs that we will sing, and the gifts that we will open—gifts that we have given to one another. Maybe we need another word, but what would it be?
-Rev. Diane Roth, “What’s another word for Stewardship” (2015)                                                                                                               

Prayer & Reflection

Typically, churches focus on stewardship for a portion of the year. How are you inspired to think about stewardship as a year-round, whole-life commitment?