He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the king will answer, truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:38-40
As we continue our practice of stewardship by recognizing the promises of a God who comes down to us, then look in to discover the gifts God has given to each of us, we then look out to see the many ways God is calling us to love our neighbor, both near and far.
Stewardship means so much more than money, funding the annual budget. It should be a way a life, an integration between our faith and the way we live our lives. If we adopt this new approach, stewardship becomes loving my neighbor, is about my whole self, is believing that God has provided for me in abundance.
Recognizing all that God has given us, we diligently, both corporately and individually, seek to serve and love our neighbors, near and far through VEAP, Meals on Wheels, Feed My Starving Children, Oasis, Loaves & Fishes, the Sandwich Project, Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage, and Lutheran World Relief, to name a few.
While there are many understandings of the word stewardship, one that connects well with faith practices focuses on our relationship with God, each other and what is entrusted to us. . . We are called to make disciples of all nations as we do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. We are set free by the gospel to serve our neighbors through the generous sharing of our time, talent and resources. We give our money to support the ministries of the church and direct it where it can be most helpful. As we give of ourselves, we discover meaning in life and encounter Christ in others. In the mystery of these actions, we become “blessed to be a blessing”.
Go now as stewards of God’s abundance; remembering the many ways that God has come down to you; looking in to celebrate all that God has entrusted to your care; and focusing out to do justice for the sake of the neighbor both near and far.
Go in peace; share God’s love through stewardship year-round.