St. Mark's News & Events for January 21, 2007

What is stewardship?

Stewardship is responding to the LORD's call to be his disciple and
living out that faithful response in our daily lives. Each of us has
been blessed by GOD with certain talents, abilities and resources
that are called to be nurtured and developed for the good of others.
Because GOD has appointed us as stewards, or caretakers, of where
we live, we do not really own or possess anything. We act on behalf
of a loving but just GOD who expects us to render an accounting of
our use of these resources [time, talent and treasure] that have been
entrusted to our care.We are to be grateful for what we have received
and eager to cultivate those gifts out of love for GOD and one
another.

Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with the power to
change how we understand and live out our lives. Disciples who
practice stewardship recognize GOD as the origin of life, the giver
of freedom, the source of all they have and are and will be. They are
deeply aware of the truth that "The earth is the LORD's and all it
holds, the world and those who live there." [Ps.24:1] They know
themselves to be recipients and caretakers of GOD's many gifts.
They are grateful for what they have received and eager to cultivate
their gifts out of love for GOD and one another.

Stewardship is a way of life embracing all areas of life. It is a central
theme of the Bible, which tells us that we are accountable to GOD
for all the gifts of time, talent and treasure that GOD entrusts to us
for our lifetime. Further, the emphasis is on the personal need of
each one of us to return to GOD a truly grateful portion of our
time, talent and treasure, in thanksgiving for all the good things
GOD has given to us.