Think of Us as Stewards

Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel survived the holocaust and has written more than fifty books, including Night, a story based on his experiences as a prisoner in concentration camps. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. During his acceptance speech he said, “At special occasions, the Jewish tradition commands us to recite the following prayer: ‘Blessed be Thou…for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this day.’” 

On November 20 Salem will celebrate our one year anniversary in our new location. We will come together for one worship service at 10:00 am on the 20th. I am excited for us to offer our gratitude to God for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this day. While it is very appropriate for us to recognize that our very existence and sustenance comes from God and to celebrate that, it also calls for a response. God invites us to work together. As Paul writes to the church in Corinth, “Think of us this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2 NRSV).

Being stewards means that we are like managers of the household. The word “steward” comes from an Old English word that referred to the ward, i.e. the keeper, of the pig sty. The steward didn’t own the pigs but was a responsible farm hand with oversight of the entire hog farming operation. The extended farm family, including all the hired help, had enough to eat and a decent livelihood if the steward did his job well.

“Steward” translated from the Greek New Testament word oikonomous, literally means “manager of the household.” We are all stewards of God’s household, the divine reign over all creation which Jesus described as “the kingdom of God” (Stewardship 2009-2012 Copyright © 2008 by Cokesbury). 

So the week before we celebrate our one year anniversary, we’re going to celebrate our stewardship. This is not the same thing as a “pledge Sunday.” Yes, stewardship includes our money and possessions. Jesus certainly said a lot about that. But it is more than that. For instance, we are each called to be stewards of our families, of the spiritual gifts and talents God has given us, of our time, and of our money and possessions. Furthermore, as a congregation our stewardship includes the care of the neighborhood around us, the use of our properties, and the way we handle the money that is given through the church. 

First, we have to recognize that we are managing God’s household. It’s not ours. Therefore, our actions as stewards must be in alignment with God, the Creator and owner of all that is. “The earth is the LORD’S and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1 NRSV). If we are to be good stewards, it is vital that we listen to what God tells us to do, so we are managing God’s household as God wants. 

We are sending a letter around November 9 to the congregation, asking us all to consider these things as God’s steward. When we gather for worship on the following Sunday, November 13, we will listen for what God says to us and then respond to that. Part of that response will include answering the question, How is God calling me to steward the money and possessions that have been entrusted to my care? No one will be asked to turn in a pledge card or even share the answer to that question. It is important, however, that we do answer the question. 

The Leadership Board has had good conversation about stewardship and agrees that we do not need pledges in order to create a budget. A budget is simply our plan for using the money that the church receives. We do need to teach, model, and encourage good stewardship, which includes practicing the joy-filled spiritual gift of generous giving. Being a giver is much different than being a donor.

Donors contribute their “fair share.” They give out of their abundance and desire to help. But they maintain control, giving what they want and withholding their giving if the recipient no longer seems worthy. That might be okay for a community organization. But the church doesn’t receive donations. On the other hand, good stewards in the church give joyfully out of gratitude for all that God has done for us and recognize that we do not maintain control of what belongs to God. 

While we do not need donations towards a church budget, we do need to focus on our stewardship year round. We are changing the name of the Leadership Board sub-group from “Finance” to “Stewardship.” We will focus on a different aspect of stewardship each quarter of 2012. We will start with personal finance. We are planning on offering Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University at the beginning of next year to help us eliminate debt, save for the future, and give like never before. 

This is an exciting time for Salem. We have much to celebrate and much to look forward to. Think of us a stewards.