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:For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. (1 Chronicles 29: 14b)
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9: 7)
The Church of St James Voorschoten is completely self-financing. St James does not receive any financial aid from the Church of England or the British School. We receive all our income from the generous gifts of our church members.
Christian Stewardship – What on earth is it?
When the word ‘Stewardship’ gets mentioned in church it is very easy to simply think…”oh, they want more money” – but is that really what it is all about? Christian Stewardship is actually much more than just finance. A literal definition of Stewardship is: “Holding in trust and managing the estate of another.”
Christian Stewardship is actually a way of life in which we regard ourselves and our possessions as a trust from God to be used in his service, for what he has done for us in Jesus Christ. This means that we are stewards of everything God has given us: our time, our abilities, our possessions, our money, our whole lives. Christian Stewardship is…
- The systematic giving of body, mind and spirit to God.
- Being responsible before God for all that I have and all that I am
- The total discipline by which the people of God mobilise their God-given resources to carry out the Great Commission.
- A challenge and a privilege that effects the whole of our lives as Christians.
- The measure of faithfulness in carrying out given responsibilities.
- The practising of the gratitude of attitude to God.
- A way of life – not just a programme.
Christian Stewardship is not about making ends meet, it is about looking to an expanding Church, even in a time of recession and especially in Evangelism. Stewardship is not about giving only what is needed, but it is about giving so generously that it has a touch of recklessness about it. These are points I touched on in last year’s sermons on Stewardship. Stewardship is not about one institution giving grudgingly to another, but rejoicing in the mission of others within our one Church. That is the attitude of God’s giving to us, and that is the message for our church.
The question to ask is not: “What do I need to give?” but “How can my giving reflect something of God’s love for me?”
And so, we need to give proportionally (I will give something even if, of necessity, mine must be small.); systematically (I make it possible for my church to plan in advance and make it easier for myself.) and sacrificially (I shall testify to the high value I place upon Christ and the Church in ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of suffering humanity.).
Stewardship is not about our responsibility to the church but our responsibility as the church.
Stewardship isn’t mainly about meeting budgets. It’s more about opening our lives to God’s Spirit. That’s why stewardship and growth go together.
