Stewardship is often defined as everything we do
after we say, “I believe.”
stew•ard•ship
Pronunciation: 'stü-&rd-"ship, 'styü-; 'st(y)u(-&)rd-
Function: noun
1: the office, duties, and obligations of a steward
2: the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care <stewardship of our natural resources>
- We are God’s; ALL of our being belongs to God, our bodies, minds, and spirits
- All of our time, talents, and treasures are from God, for God, and the Property of God
- We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. — Winston Churchill
- No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave. — Calvin Coolidge
Stewardship is usually referred to as Time, Talent, and Treasure.
It is much more – it is a way of life. Stewardship consists of receiving God’s gifts gratefully and sharing abundantly God’s gifts.
It is a responsibility of any Christian community to form its members in responsible stewardship and in sacrificial giving. While the results of sound stewardship is to meet the needs of others; the maintenance of the church facilities for future generations, aid to the poor, comfort to the sick, education to the ignorant, the reason for sound stewardship is the transformation of the believer. The joy of Christian discipleship is centered in the mature and extreme commitment of a faithful steward of the Lord. Many Christians live on the edges of their parish, peeking in once a week and wondering what all the fuss is about. Disciples cast out into the deep and entrust their lives to Christ. This journey begins with the responsibility of stewardship.
The vision of the stewardship programs at Holy Spirit is to for this parish community into a place:
- where all of its members become joyful, sacrificial givers.
- where people put their talents and spiritual gifts to work.
- where people sacrifice a portion of their time and wealth to serve God, our community, and each other.
- where God's work is always obvious with abundant opportunities to serve and get involved.
- where people have ownership in the ministries because THEY are the ministers.
- where people are taught to lead, and provide the resources to empower their roles as ministers.
- where people sacrifice their time, talent, and treasure to glorify God and to make things happen for God's kingdom in Northern Virginia.
Everyone has talents. Are you hiding the light of your talent under a basket? You don't have to be the world's greatest singer, speaker, teacher, or world's greatest anything to have talents. Talents are those things we do well.
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone."
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
You have undiscovered talents. Here's the really big kicker -- you probably have talents you don't even know about. Just waiting for you to try them out. Never been a committee chairperson? Try it out. Never sung in the choir? Try it out. Old dogs can learn new tricks! Seek out a variety of tasks not just the same old one you have been doing.
You can improve your talents. In addition, you can develop the talents that you already have -- become even better. Good singers don't often get that way magically. They just keep practicing. Look for training opportunities. Seeking different ways to use your talents improves them and make the time spent more interesting for you.
"... try to excel in [spiritual] gifts that build up the church."
- 1 Corinthians 14:12
OK, so now you have the time and you have the talents. Where do you put them to work? Below are a few opportunities to use your time and talents to further God's work.
- Serve through Worship. Help with services. For instance, be a Greeter, usher, or Choir member. Help with altar linens, straightening hymnal racks after Mass. Assist in setup and cleanup for special events. Give of your musical talents. Develop your prayer life, both at home at church. Worship often, and with a community of believers.
- Serve through church programs. Music, education, faith formation class, Stewardship, Evangelism, ... Be active in the life of the church. Seek out fellowship within the church. Help sustain the church through fund-raising.
- Serve through church projects. Some possible involvement: Building maintenance, cooking, grounds maintenance, help with the church library, transport church members when needed, babysitting, and working with youth. Help with a church Bake Sale, Flea Market, or other special event.
- Serve through teaching. Help develop religious education programs. Teach a religious education class. Lead discussion groups. Teach a Bible Study.