tHIS IS STeWARDSHIP ?? The first of a month – long series of messages based on Christian stewardship

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE: “And from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” John 1 : 16

FROM VARIOUS RESOURCES IMAGES OF STEWARDSHIP FROM VARIOUS RESOURCES

FROM VARIOUS RESOURCES Stewardship at TRINITY IMAGES OF STEWARDSHIP FROM VARIOUS RESOURCES Stewardship at TRINITY

FROM VARIOUS RESOURCES IMAGES OF STEWARDSHIP FROM VARIOUS RESOURCES

FROM VARIOUS RESOURCES IMAGES OF STEWARDSHIP FROM VARIOUS RESOURCES

If that is all stewardship is, we will not be “doing stewardship” at Faith Lutheran Church, perhaps ever.

Even if that is so, that does not preclude us from doing or having: Capital campaigns; Appeals from our Finance Board or Executive Council to make sure the bills get paid; Discussion of money in church;

THAT IS NOT STEWARDSHIP – and that is why we have both a “Finance Committee” and a “Stewardship Committee” (even if the latter is currently vacant)

TRUTHS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP: CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God's family, the Church, in managing and utilizing all of life for God's purposes.

TRUTHS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP: CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP is about the MISSION of the Church, where we open our eyes to see what God has REALLY given us and how we can engage a world with it.

UNIVERSAL TRUTH # 1 :

IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD

CONCEPTS (PRINCIPLES) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GOD’S STEWARDS ?? EIGHT [8] PRIMARY CONCEPTS (PRINCIPLES) OF BEING “GOD’S STEWARDS” [two per week]

“GOD'S STEWARDS ARE … GOD'S STEWARDS” WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE

“GOD'S STEWARDS ARE … GOD'S STEWARDS” God's stewards are stewards by virtue of creation and their re – creation in Holy Baptism; therefore, they belong to the Lord.

“GOD'S STEWARDS ARE MANAGERS, NOT OWNERS” WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GOD’S STEWARDS ?? “GOD'S STEWARDS ARE MANAGERS, NOT OWNERS”

“GOD'S STEWARDS ARE MANAGERS, NOT OWNERS” God's stewards have been entrusted by God with life GIVEN BY HIM, as well as everything in our lives. We are given the privilege and responsibility of joyfully managing all of it for Him.

OUR CHALLENGES AND RESPONSE THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH: Grow in God’s Word and in understanding that blessings from God = Opportunities to use what He has given You in love for Him and in service to all people to whom He has given HIS life;

OUR CHALLENGES AND RESPONSE THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH: Ponder where both your blessings and your life currently are and what can be done, focused on, or improved in the coming year;

OUR CHALLENGES AND RESPONSE THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH: Prayerfully commit yourselves to such things throughout the coming year, being ready to share them with the two most important people in terms of carrying these out: YOU AND GOD !

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE: “And from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” John 1 : 16

OF STEWARDSHIP GOAL AND TIME FOR PRAYER AND MEDITATION ON BEHALF OF STEWARDSHIP GOAL AND CHALLENGE #1