Our church is currently in the midst of our annual stewardship program. This is an important part of our life together where we consider what it means to be a steward of all God gives us, and where we encourage each other to embrace more of what the Holy Spirit is asking of us. This is not about “getting people’s money,” instead; we are looking to embrace a servant’s heart and learn to use all of our resources wisely and to the glory of God.
Yesterday, one of our seminary interns preached the sermon for our Sunday Worship. It was a wonderful service and a great message that challenged us to move beyond our worry and fear and look for ways we can be servants of God in ministry to the world. At the heart of the message was this simple, yet profound question: “What do you have that can be put to use for God?”
It is a question well worth pondering by anyone working to make their heart resonate with the heart of God. God gives us so much: time and money, skills and talents, faith and spiritual gifts. Each of us is made to be a special and unique part of the body of Christ so that together, we can represent the fullness of God. If we understand that we are blessed to be a blessing, then it is important to ask why God made us the way we are and gave us what we have. Certainly, part of the answer is the joy our blessings bring to God and to us, but there is surely a place for the joy, healing and witness our blessings can bring to the world through us.
Too often, we address stewardship as if it is just another annual fund raiser to get money for the coming year’s ministry. We reduce the role of faithful stewards to check-writers for programs and events, but that is not the definition of real stewardship. Instead, stewardship is about celebrating and sharing what we receive from God so that God will be glorified and others cared for, blessed and strengthened.
So, this brings us back to the question. What do we have right now that can be put to use for God? Is it money that can be used to enable outreach in God’s name, or to be the outreach to someone in need? Is it time that can be given in the service of others, or in prayer? Is it our skill that can empower others by assisting them with challenges that restrict them or by teaching them new ways to identify and use their own God-given gifts and talents?
These are just the beginning. The list of possibilities is as endless and the creative power of God at work within us. As we enter this new week and begin preparing for the coming new year, let’s ask ourselves the question and ask the Holy Spirit to help us identify our gifts and empower us to use them in new ways. Let’s keep looking to embrace the new possibilities God presents to us, letting go of the fear of failure, or of change, and stepping boldly into the future by faith. There is real excitement ahead of us and wonderful opportunities to make a difference for God.
What do you have that can be put to use for God right now? What is God asking you to do? What might happen if you step out in faith today? Imagine, there are people waiting right now, for you to step forward in faith and be the answer to prayer. What a wonderfully awesome opportunity and responsibility. We do not have to be, or have, what someone else is, or has, to make a difference. We only need to be available to God and together, we can change the world. Let’s make the investment together and be the world changers we were meant to be.
