Stewardship Temple Talk
September 29, 2013
This is the first week of our stewardship program: Fulfilling God’s Purpose! Many of us inwardly groan when we hear the word, “stewardship.” We incorrectly assume that this is the time of year when all that is talked about is money. Perhaps that has been the experience some of us have had and that is really most unfortunate, for a focus on money is a very narrow and truly inaccurate view of stewardship.
Stewardship begins with an acknowledgement that God is the Creator and Owner of all things. This realization results in gratitude to God for so graciously providing for us. In faith we understand that God is the source of all good things. As we live with thanks and praise on our lips for all our blessings, we experience the capacity to respond in more tangible ways. We look for ways to serve, avenues through which we might use our time and talents, and needs we can support financially.
Our program, Fulfilling God’s Purpose!, will last four Sundays. Today our focus is “Building Relationships.” Next Sunday, our theme is “Witnessing for Jesus.” God is not here holding our hand as we sit waiting for something to happen. God has plans for us individually and collectively.
During the third week, we will talk about “Living as Servants.” Our fourth and final week will focus on “Giving joyfully and Generously.” Stewardship, as we’ve said, is not a once-a-year event to be endured, but a total, joyful experience of living a life of witness to our Lord through our acts of love. Join us downstairs after services for bible study and additional discussion of the week’s theme.
We pray that this and the next three weeks provide us with new insights into our lives as true stewards of God’s rich blessings. Let me leave you with these words of Paul from 1 Corinthians 15:58:
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
~ Mark Schwarz
Trinity Lutheran Church 