What is stewardship?
Generosity is a matter of action, intentions and heart. Our way to describe it is the grateful outpouring of gifts to others, out of our love for God.
II Corinthians 4:5-7 – Paul says, “We have the treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” The Message Bible says, “If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry the precious message around in the unadorned clay pots of everyday lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. We’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us – trial and torture, mockery and murder: What Jesus did among them, he does in us – he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, we’re getting in on the best.”
Generous living is not just about giving money, or even just about giving. It has to do with the whole of who we are and how we care for our neighbors. (Mark 12:28-31) Each of us must bring our heart, mind, soul and strength. The Old testament word for “heart” is literally the leaning or thrust of our lives. It’s how we steward 100% of our lives, not just the “religious” section or the percentage we give away.
So how do we lead stewardship in our local church? By nurturing generous living in our personal lives and in our life together as part of our congregation and Christ’s interconnected, connectional church.
Nurturing generous living in every aspect of our life – now that’s great stewardship!