What is Stewardship ?

Often people think that stewardship involves asking the congregation for money every so often - particularly if there is a financial crisis in the parish. There is much more to stewardship than money, however, and it should be part and parcel of our Christian discipleship.

In essence stewardship is a recognition that everything we have comes from God - from the world around us, to our friends and families, and our own particular talents and gifts. God has been incredibly generous to us, and a right and proper response should be to look after what we have been given, nurture our gifts, and give something back to God - joyfully rather than grudgingly.

How much to give?

The Old Testament encourages us to tithe - that is give 10% of everything we have back to God. 'All tithes from the land, whether the seed from the ground or the fruit from the tree, are the Lord's. All tithes of herd and flock, every tenth one that passes under the shepherd's staff, shall be holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27.30, 32

Although Jesus doesn't speak specifically about tithing, two thirds of the parables are about money and wealth. There is much in the New Testament about our attitudes to money - that we can't serve both God and money. In the stories of Zaccheus and the rich young ruler we are challenged to look at our attitudes to money.

In the early church people supported one another by selling their possessions and distributing to proceeds to those in need. Everything was held in common. (Acts 2.45)

If we are really thinking about stewardship we need to be looking at more than money. How much time do we give to others? To the church? What are we good at? Do we use these gifts for others or for the church?

A fundamental question of discipleship is to ask what we give back to God? Is our discipleship a priority in our lives, and therefore our giving important, or do we just give the leftovers - the loose change at the bottom of our pocket, or the five minutes between listening to the news on the radio and doing the washing up?

Six steps in Christian giving

Our Christian stewardship can operate on a number of levels. Where are we now? Where would Christ like to see us? Can we move up a level?

Survival. I give a bit when I'm asked because I hope the church will be there if I need it, though with any luck I won't have to. My giving is a bit of an insurance policy, really.

Supermarket. I'm happy to pay for the bits of the church that I want to enjoy. I can ignore the unchallenging or boring parts of the church, and still enjoy some benefits.

Support. I think the Church is important and that I'm a member of the supporters' club, so I'm happy to play my part in sustaining it.

Subscription. I see myself as a member of the church and want to contribute my fair share of the costs. Church membership is part of my identity, and others recognize that I play an important part in the life of the Church.

Submission. My understanding is that if I am to be a Christian I should put God first in my life. My giving is more about God than the institution of the Church.

Sacrifice. My Christian calling is to be Christ-like. I really do believe that God 'demands my soul, my life, my all'. Because God has given me so much, even his own Son, I want to give back, joyfully and sacrificially.

Six Steps in Christian Giving, from an original idea by Robin Stevens developed by Jim Pendorf