Stewardship
“Stewardship is how we live out our calling as followers of Christ. Stewardship is what we do after we say that we believe.” [1]
For many the word stewardship has become synonymous with financial giving. But in truth, stewardship encompasses far more than that. Stewardship is about how we live our lives. Stewardship is about what we do with ALL the gifts that God has given to us.
“God gives, then we respond, and we spend our lives learning and growing in our responses.” [1]
Stewardship is our response to God. But more than that, it is an opportunity for us to partner with God in being generous. God has generously given us many good gifts and, in doing so, offers us the chance to be generous in sharing those gifts with others. We have been “blessed to be a blessing” to our neighbors and to the world.
“In our lives as stewards, the gifts we offer—time, talent, and financial resources—are holy gifts. They are symbols of love and signs of grace that are offered out of joy and devotion. These gifts are not dues to be paid or entrance fees to be offered. They are gifts of love. These gifts that we offer to God are symbols of our covenant of love with Jesus Christ, made in response to our understanding of Christ’s great love, which was offered first for us.” [1]
We give because Christ gave himself for us. There are many ways we can be generous. We can give of our time to help a neighbor in need or to serve in the church. We can give of our talents by using them for God’s glory, for service in the church and witness in the world. We can give of our money and possessions to further the church’s mission, locally and across the globe.
It is our commitment at First Presbyterian Church of Scottsbluff to use the gifts we have been given wisely and always for the glory of God. We pray that you will partner with us in that commitment and generously support the mission God has given us with your time, talents, and resources. If you would like to see some of the ways in which you can join our mission, click one of the following links:
[1] "Stewardship Manual," Presbyterian Mission Agency, P.C.(USA), http://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/getattachment/2a2140ca-8ac1-47e5-8c8b-29c66be913a4/PCUSA-Stewardship-Manual.aspx, 2015.