Christian Stewardship

Who Is a Christian Steward?

A Response to God's Gift of Salvation
 
According to Rev. Dr. Wayne Knolhoff, former stewardship director and consultant of the National Mission at Concordia Seminary, the reason why there are so many misconceptions about stewardship is “that when it comes to stewardship, we focus on what the steward does (stewardship) without ever talking about who the steward is (identity).”
 
First and foremost, a Christian steward is a child of God. “The Gospel is the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ,” Knolhoff said. “It motivates the Christian steward. We love because He first loved us.” It naturally follows that “gratitude marks the life of the Christian steward.” Thus, properly understood, stewardship is a response to God’s gift of salvation, a sentiment echoed in Luther’s words: “As [Christ] gives himself for us with his body and blood … so we too are to give ourselves with might and main for our neighbor.”
 
Second, the child of God cares (manages) for that which belongs to his Father. Roy Bleick, Pastor and writer, wrote in Much More Than Giving, “In the New Testament, stewardship … is never used to designate the action of giving, much less the giving of money … [but] relates primarily to the office of administration or management or to the implementation of a plan.” The Lord has called each of us to different vocations in the home, church and society. Under each of those vocations, we have the joy-filled duty to use all that God has given us for His purposes.
 
Third, what belongs to our Father? Everything. James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. That means that everything—from the food on our table to our personal strengths and talents—is a gift from God.

Expression of Christ-Centered Faith
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​It boils down to this: Generosity is born of one’s relationship to Christ. It’s why we use His gifts for His purposes.
 
Daniel Conway writes in What Do I Own and What Owns Me?, “Stewardship means letting go of my independence, my ego, my need for control, and my desire to be someone … True stewardship means that I depend on a good and gracious God for who I am and what is mine—because they are all gifts to me.” Stewardship is not limited to finances, though we think primarily about that at this time of year.  If we only think of Stewardship as financial giving to the church, then our efforts are robbed of the rich, full and fruitful life that God intends for His children.
 
The Gospel is what makes stewardship distinctively Christian in content, in method, and in motivation. The stewardship life is dedicated to the cause of the Kingdom. Stewardship is the expression of our faith. When the biblical teaching of stewardship is neglected or ignored, the consequence is depriving ourselves of all that the Lord would give us. The consequence is hoarding the gifts the Lord gives us rather than sharing them so that they multiply. In this sense, stewardship is counterintuitive. We do not gain more by keeping what we have been given; instead, in giving them away, the gifts are multiplied beyond measure. When this happens, Knolhoff says, “The congregation will be living into God’s desire for them to make disciples of all nations by baptizing them and teaching them all that He has commanded.”
 
According to Knolhoff, some of the congregational benefits of “intentional, systematic, whole life stewardship education” include:
 
• Operating from a perspective of abundance rather than scarcity.
 
• Experiencing a renewed mission focus.
 
• Increasing resources for mission and ministry.
 
• Relishing the joy of a steward’s life following Christ.
 
Knolhoff states, “Stewardship is what the steward does. Christian stewards understand that stewardship is the Christian life—all of it.”
 
When one leads a Christian life of stewardship, the focus is on Christ. Trust is placed in Him that He will provide for those who dedicate their lives to serving Him with the gifts He has blessed us with. 
 
What are the consequences?
 
In short, ignoring any part of the whole counsel of God leads to trouble: maybe it’s despair, maybe it’s carnal security, maybe it’s missed mission opportunities.  As we plan for a new year, for mission and ministry here at Creator as God's Stewards, we plan for so much more than upkeep and maintenance. Our plans are for joy and peace in believing. To provide a place of spiritual possibility and community renewal. To enter into God's divine plan through our daily lives as Stewards and witnesses of God's abundance and blessing. 
 
Living a Steward's life in Him,

Fr. Bill+