I recently read a powerful sentence: God never stops giving. Neither should we! Each one, as we’re able, are called to generously use all we have and all we are in faithful service to God, creation, and humankind.
Let’s break that stewardship statement down:
Generously using all we have:
Our days, our resources…. this idea lines up nicely with what many of us think of when we hear the word “stewardship”: time, talent and treasure. Note it says all we have, not just what’s easy or convenient to give.
And all we are:
This asks a little more of us. Our entire selves. Not just giving generously but living generously.
One of my favorite examples of generous living is the person who told me they park as far away as they can from their destination so that the closer spots are available for others.
Another person told me they always book an aisle seat on an airplane, but if the person who has the middle seat is taller than them, they offer to switch. Generous living, indeed!
In faithful service to God, creation, and humankind:
Stewardship isn’t about us. It’s living generously for God, for God’s beautiful creation, and for others. It’s being a part of God’s work in the world, day after day. It’s making choices that might involve sacrifice so that we honor God, what God has made, and what God is still making.
A friend told me that this year, she tried to buy as many items in glass bottles instead of single-use plastic because she saw the sacrifice of paying more for salad dressing in a glass bottle as part of her stewardship. “Each one, as we’re able….”
What are your goals for 2025 and how is your stewardship a part of them? God never stops giving, and neither should we.
Check out these resources for ideas for yourself or your ministry:
MMFA’s stewardship resources:
– Questions for Stewardship Leaders
– 2025 Stewardship Planning
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s whole life stewardship resources.
