An introduction of Stewardship to the congregation

February 2010

There is truly no time like the present … NOW!

There is a sad, but true story of a man of considerable means that could not attend worship on Sundays because that was the day he had to count the last week’s receipts from one of the several businesses he owned. However, the business man had told the pastor that while he was not currently giving to the church, when he died the church would receive a nice bequest. Well, about two years later, the man died and the church was not even mentioned in his will. Not because he wasn’t well-intentioned, but because he had never gotten around to it.

He put his stewardship of the blessings God had given him on hold … rather than acting on it … NOW!

St. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth these words: “Now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation.” (II Corinthians 6:2) We can add to that: “Now is also the day of stewardship.” After all, it is not how we plan to serve Christ in the future (after our own business and pleasures); it is how we seriously serve Christ today. Salvation today requires stewardship today. “The love of Christ urges us on…”wrote St. Paul. (II Corinthians 5:14) And so it does! It really does! Today. NOW!

Prayer: Gracious Lord, you have opened your hands toward us again and again with gifts galore. Stir us up to use these gifts not only for ourselves, but for your church and the hurts of the world. In Christ’s name. Amen.