Stewardship

Who is a Christian steward? One, who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with all, and returns them with increase to the Lord. The definition, rooted in biblical and church tradition, corresponds with Almighty God’s decision to entrust to humanity the universe God has created (Gn 1:26-31) and with Jesus Christ’s famous parable of the talents (Mt 25: 14-36).

For disciples of Christ – everyone who responds to Jesus’ invitation, "Come, follow me” – Christian stewardship is an obligation, not an option. Correctly and fully understood, Christian stewardship holds every individual accountable to God for personal care of the universe. At the time of judgment, God will have the right to ask, "What did you do with my world?”

Christian stewardship, therefore, applies to everything – all personal talents, abilities, and wealth; the local, national, and worldwide environments; all human and natural resources wherever they are; the economic order; governmental affairs; and even outer space. This stewardship does not tolerate indifference to anything important in God’s world.

Why is the “stewardship lifestyle” so important to the Christian disciple?

Every diocese, parish and disciple should make education and formation for stewardship a major priority. This is vitally important today because:

• it helps disciples, families, and communities better understand what it means to follow Jesus in an affluent, consumer culture, and

• it establishes an appropriate, scriptural basis for responding to the Church’s growing need for human, physical, and financial resources.

A Lifelong Process

Stewardship involves a lifelong process of study, reflection, prayer, and action. To make stewardship a way of life for disciples, families, parishes, and dioceses requires a change of heart and a new understanding of what it means to follow Jesus without counting the cost. This conversion of mind and heart will not happen overnight, but, as always, the Holy Spirit is at work in the Church today. Those parishes and dioceses that embrace the theology and practice of stewardship are beginning to see a change of attitude on the part of clergy, religious, and lay people to be more fully developed disciples.

A Solid Foundation

A comprehensive approach to stewardship education and formation is essential if diocesan and parish communities truly wish to make stewardship a way of life for disciples, families, and communities. Increased offertory and fund-raising programs that bypass stewardship education and formation must be more than a “jump start” to financial giving. Such programs could separate church funding from its vital connection to Christian discipleship. The foundation of everything that the Church takes on should be rooted in the mission Christ has place before His Disciples.

What does the term “time, talent, and treasure” mean?

"Time, talent, and treasure” is a term that means giving the whole self to Christ and His mission; not just part of the self and leaving the others out. Discipleship is a call to embrace the whole being and human action into the work God has called His disciples to.

Stewardship Education/Resources/Materials

There are a number of sites which provide information about stewardship. Among them are:

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

• USCCB Stewardship Resources

• International Catholic Stewardship Council

• Catholic Charities USA

• Catholic Relief Services

• Lay Witness Testimonial

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©2008 Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana