Stewardship

“As stewards we are freed from the attitude of scarcity to live in the abundance of God. We experience the joy of giving as we respond to God’s call to live as faithful stewards.”

Stewardship Message – February Roadrunner

Courage, leadership, wisdom, compassion, love, and opportunity. What on earth do these have to do with a February stewardship article? Let’s look at what’s happening in February. We have Ground Hog Day. We can experience 6 more weeks of winter or anticipate an early spring. We celebrate President’s Day, the combined holiday celebrating the birth of two remarkable Presidents; George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Presidents who showed courage, leadership, and wisdom far beyond that of many others. We celebrate Valentine’s Day with compassion and love.

Also during February this year we observe Ash Wednesday. On this day we roll into one extraordinary event a time of commemoration of the temptation of our Lord and the preparation for His ministry while we remember human mortality. Jesus exemplifies, but goes far beyond, the courage, leadership and wisdom of either Washington or Lincoln. The humanity of Jesus’ love and compassion is far greater than any love St. Valentine showed for his people, knowing what was in store for him on the cross. But what about Ground Hog Day? The Bible tells us in the 23rd Psalm that we are led to green pastures and clear water, but more importantly, we are led through the valley of the shadow of death. The 6 weeks of winter of the soul become the early longed-for spring. But just like in the movie Ground Hog Day, we are given the blessing of a new day – one we can live exactly like the day before or realize we can do things differently, hopefully for the good with Jesus by our side.

February in Tucson is far different weather-wise than February in many areas of the country. However, February is a wonderful time for the Christian to reflect on the many gifts we have been given, especially the most blessed gift of God’s son, Jesus Christ. May we all find and experience the courage, leadership, wisdom, compassion and love of our Lord and the opportunity to share these gifts and blessings with others. Happy February!

By Betsy Boorse, StewardShip Team

2012 Stewardship Commitments

There is good news to report regarding the 2012 Stewardship Campaign. To date we have received 153 commitments totaling $378,537. In comparison for the 2011 Stewardship Campaign we received 155 commitments totaling $364,413 at year’s end. On behalf of the StewardSHIP Committee we thank all of you who have made commitments to support the ministries of Our Saviour’s for 2012. Additionally we want to recognize and thank those who, while not declaring a written commitment, do make and fulfill a pledge from their heart. These “heart pledges” continue to provide added support for Our Saviour’s ministries. We would be remiss if we did not also recognize and thank those who undergird our many ministries with their time and talents.

 

Top Ten Stewardship Verses:

 

# 1: Matthew 25:13-40 “Where have you been hiding your money lately?” The parable of the ten talents emphasizes that we are all stewards, no matter how little or how much God has entrusted us with. As stewards, how we spend, save, and share our money matters to God.

# 2: Luke 10:25-37 “Yes, your neighbor includes that random naked guy” The parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that we, as stewards of God’s world, are called to care for all creation, including our neighbors. Good stewards recklessly give of themselves to their neighbor and in doing so model God’s love for all creation.

# 3: Matthew 6:21 (Luke 12:34) “Burying your treasure in the clouds” Where you put your money takes your heart with it. “The point isn’t that how we spend our money reveals what sort of people we are, but that how we spend money determines what sort of people we become.” (Giving to God, Mark Allan Powell, Robert and Phyllis Leatherman professor of New Testament, Trinity Lutheran Seminary)

# 4: Luke 21:1-4 (Mark 12:41-44) “Two coins makes all the difference” Jesus commends the widow for giving all that she had to live on. As stewards we are called to give our whole life—time, talent and treasure—to God. We are also called to create sustainable systems of giving so that the rich do not prosper at the expense of the poor. Stewardship is for everyone, the rich and the poor.

# 5: Luke 19:1-10 “So money does grow on trees” Stewardship is, first and foremost, about relationships. Zacchaeus’ relationship with his possessions, and by consequence his relationship with others, is affected by Jesus’ initiation of a relationship with him. Through our relationship with Jesus we are changed; our relationship with Jesus ignites within us a desire to use our possessions responsibly to meet the needs of others.

# 6: 2 Corinthians 9 “Reaping, sowing and your pearly whites” God provides all that we need and we give in response to God’s provision. God desires intentional gifts that can be freely given with a smile. As we give we not only meet the needs of others but we also give thanks to God.

# 7: Genesis 1-2:4, especially 1:26-27, 31. “Who do you see when you look in the mirror?” Stewardship originates from the creation story. In this story, God impresses God’s own image upon humanity and charges humanity to care for all creation. God is the maker of all things and we are called to be responsible stewards of God’s creation.

# 8: Luke 18:18-27, especially 18:25 (Mark 10:17-22) “Let’s hope that camel has been on a diet” Stewardship is a matter of the heart. Our possessions often interfere with our relationship with God, steering our focus from creator to creation. Although wealth brings many privileges and benefits, Jesus cautions his followers to beware of wealth’s power to lure their hearts away from God.

# 9: Micah 6:8 “Three steps to the good life” The focus of stewardship is not our money or our possessions, but rather the attitude of our heart. The attitudes of justice, kindness and humility shape the way we view, use and give our money and possessions.

# 10: 2 Corinthians 8 “Anything you can do I can do better” Generosity is not circumstantial and giving is a privilege. In this passage, Paul uses the story of the Macedonians’ abundant generosity in the face of trial to encourage the Corinthians to give generously.