AN AWARENESS OF GOD

Christian stewardship begins with the awareness of God.  It is that simple.  If we are aware of God, we realize that there is a higher priority in life.  Higher than life itself.  Higher than ourselves.  When we are aware of God, we finally realize that everything belongs to God.

We live in a materialistic society.  And the more we accumulate, the more distant God becomes in our lives.  And the more we believe that we are the owners, not God.  As we push God to the outside of our lives, we become more possessive about money and things.  We take the center stage, acting as though we own the world and that the creation is here to serve us and the things we want.

Think about it.  We own nothing.  We come into this world with nothing and we leave with nothing.  We even leave our bodies behind.

Stewardship is at the very heart of faith, and faith is at the very heart of stewardship.  Stewardship is far more than giving to the church although it includes that giving.  It all begins with an awareness of God at the center of life.

What is our Calling?

WE ARE STEWARDS

We are given the opportunity to manage and care for everything that belongs to God.  the word steward at its heart means “manager.”  The steward is not the owner but is the manager.

This is a remarkable privilege!  We get to manage on God’s behalf.  It’s one thing to manage for a corporation; it is quite another thing to have the opportunity to help God do God’s work here on earth.  When we see ourselves as stewards, we realize we are serving God by being caretakers of creation.  We care for creation both by careful use of it and by sharing it with others.

Being such a steward is also a great responsibility.  We have a lot to take care of!  God has made a lot of “stuff.”  We live in a very developed nation.  We have more than enough.

So we are called not only to manage it well and preserve it as best we can but also to share it gladly.  God expects this of us as good managers of all things.

GOD IS GRACIOUS

Stewards know that God is extremely good and gracious.  Stewards are those who know God has blessed them in many ways.

The blessings of God include the gift of life itself.  While life has its ups and downs, most of the time we are immensely grateful for the opportunity to be alive.  There is so much in life to enjoy – beautiful sunrises, good food, friendships, and the joy of human love.  God gives us everything in life.

Best of all, God gives us the promise of love, God’s presence, and the gift of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.  We are truly blessed.  As an old song says, “count your blessings before you sleep…”.

Stewards are people who do count their blessings.  Stewards, as a result, want to give thanks to God by how they use life and by the gifts they share.

That offering envelope in the plate is one way we have of saying “Thanks God.”