Grateful Stewardship
Stewardship first involves understanding that God is ruler of all. I discussed this in the sermon last Sunday by indicating that much of mankind’s rebellion has had to do with casting off God’s rule and assuming authority and ownership ourselves.
As we continue our focus on stewardship and approach Christ the King Sunday in a few days, I want to reiterate this truth because it’s key for apprehending our role in the economy of God’s kingdom.
Since Christ is King, we have to acknowledge that we are not. But that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t given us authority and responsibility. Quite the contrary. God has given each of us our own realms to manage, which consists of finances, belongings, gifts, talents, work, time and relationships. And as I discussed last week, nature itself is a gift for our pleasure and stewardship.
But Jesus has given us more than all of this. Much more. Our Lord and King gave everything for us – including his very life so that we could eternally fellowship with God in the new heavens and new earth that Christ will usher in at his second coming.
And it is this message of Christ’s victory, sacrifice, generosity and love that he’d have us, as his church, share with the world in word and deed, so they too can experience the richness of his redemption.
But what is our part in that? Well, it's back to stewardship. We respond to God's generous love through generous living, which means offering ourselves to him and his kingdom expanding work – including our time, talent and treasure.
As we continue our focus on stewardship in the next few weeks, let's do so with a grateful heart, remembering all that God has given us. Below is a prayer used to close out the Daily Office (morning and evening prayer) in the Book of Common Prayer. The summary of the prayer amounts to thanking God for all that he has given us in creation and done for us in redemption. Then it's a request that we respond to God's goodness by offering him all that we are. And by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, may we do just that.
Fr. Darin +
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.