Stewardship of Time and Talent

Stewardship Defined

The United States Bishops' Pastoral on Stewardship: A Disciple's Response, 1993 offers the following brief explanation of the tenets of Stewardship in today's church.

Three Convictions About Christian Stewardship

1.  To live as a Christian Steward is an expression of mature discipleship.  It is a conscious, firm decision carried out in action to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Stewardship is not something that is extra.  It is the way disciples of Jesus live in the world and the way they understand their relationship to creation and to the abundant gifts that they have received from God.

2.  Beginning in conversion, a change of heart, this commitment to Stewardship is not carried out in a single action, nor a series of actions over a period of time, but in one's entire way of life.

Stewardship can never be reduced to habits of giving or volunteerism.  Because it is rooted in discipleship, the concept of Stewardship should permeate all aspects of Christian life.

3.  The practice of Stewardship has the power to change how we understand our lives.  Good Stewards recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom and the source of all that they are and possess.

A commitment to Stewardship changes the way you live.  It is a practical, but also profound response to the challenge of the Gospel to follow Jesus regardless of the cost.

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Spiritual growth and renewal are a continuing part of the life of any Christian.  They are also basic parts of our parish life.  An important part of this spiritual growth is embodied in the principle of stewardship.  Through stewardship, we thank God for all His blessings by returning to Him a portion of time and talent He has given to us. 

Spend some time in prayerful thought about stewardship and your relationship with the Lord.

TIME.  How much time do you set aside each week in prayer and involvement in volunteer activities in your parish and in our community?

TALENT.  How are you using your talents for the betterment of our parish family and for the community as a whole?

TREASURE.  What percentage of your yearly income do you presently give to support your parish, the Universal Church, and community activities?

To accept the challenge of stewardship, we must accept God's invitation to enter deeply into the mission and ministry of Jesus and the Church.  The journey, once begun, will be one of excitement and joy as we grow in understanding and commitment to stewardship.  Through our commitment to stewardship at St. John's we have already come to realize the tangible manifestation of the power of Christ's Church at work in the world.

Stewardship thought to pray about and discern this week:

"I give because I want to, not because I ought to.  I feel good knowing that my gifts of time, talent and treasure are making a difference in the community, and hopefully, shaping spiritual moral values."

 ~ Robert Bainum

Click here to find out "What is the Stewardship Council?"