by Lisa Brielmaier

Okay, that’s not really a relevant headline, and I’m probably dating myself to boot, but I think stewardship needs a pithy catchphrase to grab people’s attention.  Too many people think stewardship is all about money, so they stop reading or listening when the word comes up.  The fact is stewardship is about a joyful way of life! 

Stewardship is the understanding that everything we have, including our talents, our family, our possessions, our spiritual gifts and even our time on earth is a gift from God.  These blessings have been freely given by our Father in Heaven who loves us very much.  How lucky are we?!  We cannot claim credit for our talents or even suggest that we deserve them.  It’s so important that we always gratefully acknowledge that they are gifts from God. 

If we take some time to think about this generosity, we come to realize that we were given our talents for a reason, namely to share them with others.  Our loving God wants us to use the gifts He gave us in loving service to one another.  As St. Teresa of Avila put it, “Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”  It is up to us to help each other, and God has given us the tools to do so. 

Choosing to live a life of stewardship is really choosing to be a disciple of Jesus.  “Serve one another through love…bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 5:13, 6:2).  In the United States bishops’ pastoral letter Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, the bishops say,
“To be a Christian disciple is a rewarding way of life, a way of companionship with Jesus, and the practice of stewardship as a part of it is itself a source of deep joy. Those who live this way are happy people who have found the meaning and purpose of living.”

Wow. That’s amazing.  I guess stewardship doesn’t really need a pithy catchphrase at all.  It only needs our hearts.

Stewardship… It’s Not Just
for Breakfast Anymore