ONE MINUTE
STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE:
USING THE GIFTS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US: When we come to church, we offer God three things: our time - an hour and a half; our talents -our abilities to pray, praise, sing and worship; and our money. God accepts these, because God wants not our gifts, but us as givers. God wants us. We are the living sacrifice.
I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
Listen God is Calling...
God is calling us to Biblical stewardship. When asked most people know that stewardship has something to do with money. some might say it is about time, talent and treasure While these are correct, true Biblical stewardship involves much more.
The Biblical definition of a steward is one who has been entrusted to take care of another's property and who expects to give a final accounting to the owner. Jesus taught that god holds each steward accountable for the management of what has been committed to him or her.
Using this definition, we can see that Biblical stewardship is about more than time, talent and treasure. It is about how we live our lives. Jesus' parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) shows that stewardship involves personal initiative and active risk taking. we are challenged to re-think our narrow view of stewardship. We are called to turn away from our self-centered lives and to follow Christ without regard to reputation, economic security, or immediate personal satisfaction!
Stewardship rooted in God's demands and promises calls for daily ethical decisions and deeds: personal and social.
As Biblical stewads, we are called to serve not only in the church, but also in the community and the world. We are called to give generously to meet the needs of our neighbor. We are called to become active in government at all levels. We are called to be stewards of the earth and the environment. We are called to be faithful to God's word - which is the supreme test of Biblical stewardship.
(Adapted from the Woment of the ELCAd)
Next Stewardship Meeting is Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 5:30 PM The stewardship committee meets each month year round. |
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