STEWARDSHIP      

Luther Johnson

 

As a church, we often think of stewardship in terms of meeting the budget, paying the bills on time, and keeping up with benevolences.  As individuals, we think of stewardship in terms of time, talents, and tithing.  Stewardship is all that and more. 

 

We are also stewards of God's word. 

 

The churches I serve are using a helpful stewardship resource which reminded me of this fact.  This Augsburg Fortress resource is "LEGACY:  That Your Faith May Live" and its theme is based on II Timothy 1:3-14.  This passage puts the Christian's way of life into perspective. 

 

“Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard  from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus; guard the good treasure that has been entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us," (vv 13-14)

 

In  II Timothy, Paul is concerned  with faith and proper teaching -- the  foundation and goal for all stewardship.  In later chapters, he sheds light on how to engage in this kind of stewardship:

 

“...proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.  For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.  As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully,"  (4:2-5)

 

In other words, get on with the work of the church.  Engage in stewardship drives.  Visit the sick.  Sustain & start ministries.   Apply the balm of the Gospel to a world hungry for hope & life.  How?  By remembering the most important part — stewardship of God’s word.   Know what you believe and why.  Study the issues and Scripture.  Advocate for the truth entrusted to you.  Be a steward of God's Word so that your faith may live at home, at work, at school, and in the church.

 

 

 

Luther Johnson is pastor in Donnelly, MN