(Micah 6:8, NRSV)

In Jesus’ time, the word steward referred to a specific vocation—the manager of a household, a responsible administrator of the owner’s property—not to the owner of the assets. Today, church people often refer to it as the way members use their time, talent, and treasure. In some churches, it refers exclusively to church finances.

We are all stewards of some possessions and influence. The question is: “What kind of stewards are we?” We start by recognizing that God invites us to be responsible for our lives and resources. We are not likely to manage well unless we acknowledge that we are managers. We are not likely to exercise good stewardship until we recognize that we are stewards — God’s stewards.

The ways we use money, time, abilities, influence, and relationships are interrelated. To bring any one aspect into a relationship with Christ will affect every other area. Imagine Jesus standing before you and saying, “Take thou authority to be a steward.” Then explore what that will mean in your daily life, in your congregation, and in your community.

Tension between definitions

Most congregations struggle with the relationship between stewardship and finance. Stewardship includes finance but is not limited to funding matters. We urge you, as a leader in the church, to help the congregation see stewardship as a faith discipline rather than as a task. Notice the places where people are anxious. Older persons often feel that they have abilities and wisdom to share but are being ignored. They also may fear that they will outlive their financial resources. People of all ages fear economic dislocation through business relocations or replacement by technology. Young adults are concerned about raising their children in an uncertain world, about paying for their children’s education, and about saving for their retirement. A church that is a steward of the resources of the people helps them use their abilities, influence, and economic resources in a way that will contribute to the good of the whole community.

If churches ignore these real-life strains, people feel cut off from God and the Christian community. Examine how your church can provide spiritual support and practical training in the use of influence, time, and money. Help young parents teach healthy money values to their children. Provide opportunities for people to communicate with one another across the age spans.

Stewardship education

Stewardship education takes place in formal sessions through Bible study and curriculum. It also takes place in the life and rituals of the congregation . . . in our homes when we read the newspaper or watch TV . . . in family settings . . . . When parents discuss their investment of time and money in the presence of their children, they are conducting stewardship education. When people talk about how the church makes a difference in individual lives or in communities, stewardship education takes place. When the church thanks people for generous gifts, stewardship education takes place.

Formal opportunities for stewardship education are available for adult classes and study groups. People may explore what Jesus had to say about money in a six-week study of Money Isn’t (Is) Everything, Herb Miller (Discipleship Resources, 800-972-0433).

Additional stewardship education resources are available from Discipleship Resources. For the most current list, visit Discipleship Resources online.

Identifying and deploying gifted people

Spiritual gifts are an important dimension of stewardship. We are called to name our gifts, to help call out the gifts of others, and to present our gifts to God as an offering. When we wear our giftedness as a badge or use it as an institutional recruitment tool, we miss the joy of giftedness described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. Gifts are to be affirmed. One gift is not more pleasing to God than another. All are a part of God’s plan. Identify and celebrate the gifts within your community. Each congregation is gifted. The congregation is also called to name its gifts and to use those gifts in the community and around the world in Christ’s name. For further information, contact Dan Dick, tollfree 877-899-2780, Ext. 7089; ddick@gbod.org; or write to him at PO Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203-0003. Also see Equipped for Every Good Work: Building a Gifts-Based Church by Dan Dick and Barbara Dick (Discipleship Resources, 2001)

How are stewardship and financial giving related?

Giving money for the work of the church is one very important aspect of stewardship. Christian financial giving is a responsive act. It represents gratitude. It is a symbol of self-giving. Therefore, giving is not a once-a-year event, but a regular part of life. It is a spiritual discipline that reminds us who and whose we are. The Abingdon Guide to Funding Ministry (available from Cokesbury, 800/672-1789) is recommended.

Does The United Methodist Church encourage tithing?

The United Methodist Book of Discipline affirms and encourages tithing [see Para. 629.5(a)(e)]. Throughout Christian history, tithing has been a helpful way for persons to measure their giving. The roots of the tradition are deep within Hebrew history. Most Christians view tithing as a spiritual discipline rather than as mathematical legalism. It is a gift from God to help us put God first in our lives. Urging persons to tithe without providing guidance is not helpful to those who did not grow up with the tradition. Is tithing encouraged? Yes. The best persons to encourage tithing are those who tithe and can talk about what it means to them. Invite tithers to tell their stories of giving.

The General Board of Discipleship Stewardship Office develops and provides resources on tithing, including Holy Smoke: Whatever Happened to Tithing? (Discipleship Resources, 800-972-0433, www.discipleshipresources.org).

What about preaching?

“Take authority . . . to preach the Word of God, and to serve all God’s people”

(United Methodist Ordination Service)

Many pastors cringe at the prospect of preaching a “stewardship sermon.” Many laypeople fear that the pastor will preach a “stewardship sermon.” Yet the Scriptures call upon us to care for the earth and its creatures, to use our possessions responsibly, and to manage our relationships in the image of God. Jesus often related faith to the ways persons managed their possessions. His is a worthy example. In a culture such as ours that is so affected by economics, it is imperative that the gospel relate to this dimension of our individual and corporate lives. Theological reflection and spiritual struggles centered on the power of money/possessions are critical.

Helpful resources related to preaching about stewardship include Right on the Money, Brian K. Bauknight, and Don’t Shoot the Horse (’Til You Know How to Drive the Tractor), Herb Mather. Available from Discipleship Resources (800) 972-0433, http://www.discipleshipresources.org.

Is stewardship done in the fall only?

Stewardship is appropriate for all seasons of the year. When stewardship is defined in terms of a fall financial campaign, the rich biblical meaning of the word is severely limited. A financial campaign needs to be conducted within the context of healthy stewardship. The term stewardship, therefore, should not be limited to an annual financial campaign or to the institutional church. We are called to be stewards of all our time and in all our resources. Satisfaction comes to those who integrate stewardship into the rest of their lives. Look at the breadth of stewardship. It is appropriate to select different facets of stewardship for emphasis during Advent, Pentecost, Lent, Easter, or any time during the year.

Does God really own it all?

Historically, Christian theology has affirmed God as the ultimate owner. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it” (Psalm 24:1, NRSV). It is more than a cliché to affirm that “we can’t take it with us.” God calls us into responsible partnership. We are to “till the earth.” It is a privilege to make important decisions as we work in God’s vineyard.

Through generational (and other) lenses

Stewardship continues to have many definitions and evokes a variety of emotional responses. That does not mean that one group is wrong and the other is right; rather, they simply have different perspectives. In the case of financial stewardship, attitudes and financial practices differ from generation to generation. Persons who grew up in the church and those who have come into the faith as adults have different attitudes toward giving. There are also differences among socioeconomic levels. Just remember that God calls us to be good stewards of our resources, whatever they may be.

Stewardship and the General Board of Discipleship: Partners in Discipleship

Many stewardship resources are available from Discipleship Resources 800-972-0433, http://www.discipleshipresources.org) and from the Stewardship Office, PO Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203-0003; 615-340-7077; tollfree 877-899-2780, ext. 7077. The focus of the resources ranges from giving to giftedness to financial campaigns and stewardship education.

The following are available from Discipleship Resources, 800-972-0433, http://www.discipleshipresources.org, and Cokesbury, 800-672-1789:

• Revolutionizing Christian Stewardship for the 21st Century, Dan Dick. Stewardship is not a program but a way of living from the center.

• Holy Smoke! Whatever Happened to Tithing? Christopher and Mather look at the biblical and historical record of tithing and apply its relevance to the individual and to the church.

• Don’t Shoot the Horse (’Til You Know How to Drive the Tractor), Herb Mather. A practical guide to help churches move to a wholesome year-round life of Christian stewardship.

• That's What My Mother Taught Me: And Other Ways Generous Givers Develop by Herb Mather. Interviews with over 100 people identified as generous givers resulted in a wealth of giving stories.

• Right on the Money, Brian K. Bauknight. A lively collection of sermons on giving by an excellent preacher.

• Money Isn’t/Is Everything, Herb Miller. What does Jesus have to say about money? Miller leads you on a study of the gospel record.

  Stewardship Consultation

  Stewardship staff at The General Board of Discipleship are just a letter, e-mail, or a phone call away. Pastors and laity are invited to contact the staff with questions and to share stories of what is happening throughout the connection. Contact David Bell, dbell@gbod.org, for more information.

  Occasionally, staff visit a local congregation for an indepth consultation. In many instances, the congregation shares the cost of the consultation.

  For information about stewardship-related events, visit the stewardship website at www.gbod.org/stewardship.

   

  Herb Mather retired from the General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, Tennessee, in September 2002.

   

  Updated June 2004