WHAT IS THE STEWARDSHIP OF THE GOSPEL?
Adam and Eve, the original stewards, fell into sin and shattered their relationships with God, each other, and creation. Through His death and resurrection Christ redeemed the world and gives us the Holy Spirit. When we recognize that we have nothing except what the Lord entrusts to us, we can joyfully return a portion to the owner, our heavenly Father. In our response to God’s love, forgiveness, and grace we use the Creator’s gifts for His purposes and seek ways to glorify God. Stewardship is sanctification — the work of the Holy Spirit through us, using our gifts as God intended.
A LIFE OF THANKS-LIVING
Stewardship isn’t about how much the steward gives or serves. It is about what the Lord gives and how the steward is called to share those blessings for the sake of those who don’t know Jesus. Stewardship is not a subcategory of the Christian life; it is the Christian life. It is a joyous lifestyle rooted in gratitude for all God has done for us and generously lived out through growing in His Word, serving the Lord, and sharing the Gospel message with others — this is Thanks-Living.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP?
The heart of stewardship is the task of sharing the Gospel for the purpose of making disciples. Not only does it benefit the recipient, but also strengthens the faith of the steward. In short, the purpose of stewardship aligns with the mission of St. Paul’s: strengthen the saved; save the lost.