“A Christian Steward is one who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord.”

STEWARDSHIP:
A DISCIPLE’S RESPONSE
U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter

Guided by Scripture, we believe that the Christian steward is a person whose prayer leads to a constant awareness that God is the creator of all blessings in life - spiritual and material. Jesus presented the ultimate gift to God - the gift of His life - and we, too, are called to follow Jesus' footsteps by:

• Receiveing God's gifts gratefully - a grateful steward never stops saying "thank you."

• Developing our gifts responsibly - not only using them prudently, but making sure that they do not wither away.

• Sharing our gifts with others in love to build a just society -a good steward knows it is better to give than to receive.

• Returning our gifts and all we have been able to do with them to the Lord.

Stewardship as a way of life has astonishing implications for our relationships and our daily lives. As Mary the mother of Jesus lived her ministry in a spirit of fidelity and service, we can find the same favor with God by living as authentic stewars of our world, our vocation and our Church.

When we talk of a culture of stewardship, a goal is often to make stewarship a "way of life." This culture becomes a reality when we form habits of generosity and give thanks for all that God has given us by contributing a portion of our time, our abilities, and our income to our community and beyond.

"As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11

About half of the parables of Jesus have to do with money or with material possessions. Jesus keeps talking about money because He knows how personal it is. He knows that sometimes money is too important and can actually kep us from the fullness of life with Him.

Stewardship of treasure is not about giving to a need; rather, it is about the need to give, a need to make sure that material possessions do not dominate our lives.

As baptized children of God, every person is uniquely gifted by God and called to share their gifts with others to build the kingdom of God. Through stewardship, Jesus makes clear to each of us our individual mission in the Church, giving us the grace to live stewardship as a way of life, a way of holiness and spirituality.

How am I stewarding the resources God has given me? What am I doing now with what God has entrusted to me? Our response is vital, for, as Jesus is telling us so clearly, one day we will all be called to render an account.