spiritual exercise on stewardship
A Spiritual Exercise on Stewardship
Use the scripture passages and questions provided to help you reflect on the keys to generosity.
Count Your Blessings
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34
It is easier to focus on what we want and what we fear rather than on what we have. Pause to reflect on the things you are thankful for and all the ways that God blesses you. Acknowledge what money worries you do have. Share them with God in prayer.
Count Your Cash
Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure out the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: “He started something he couldn’t finish.” Luke 14:28-30
Budgeting is not just about trying to make our money last until the end of the month; it’s a spiritual exercise revealing our priorities. Review your monthly income and spending. What does it reveal about your priorities? What might God be calling you to change in the way you are allocating your money?
Learn to be Content
A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet that’s enough. 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Many people spend vast amounts of their time and amass large debts chasing their dreams only to find that their latest purchases provide only fleeting fulfillment. Reflect upon your lifestyle – are you spending your time and money on the things that are truly important to you? What would it mean for you to choose a simpler lifestyle?
Discover the Joy of Giving
Remember a stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own minds what you will give…God loves it when the giver delights in the giving…This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 10-12
The question we often ask is, “how much should I give?” We are called to reflect on the generosity of God’s nature, giving in ways that help us to experience the deeper joy of growing into the full stature of Christ. How much do you need to give so that you feel it stretches you? How much do you need to give to feel the joy God calls you to experience?
Live into the Hope of Community
They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe – all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common…People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. Acts 2:43-47
A sign of commitment to a community is our willingness to sacrifice something to meet the needs of others. As the body of Christ, our faith community demonstrates Christ’s love in practical ways through our many ministries. Where do you see need? What can you do to help? How will the giving of your time and resources impact the lives of others?
Stewardship Prayer
Nurturing God, your love is free, your compassion unconditional, and your mercy infinite. You shower upon us gifts abundant. Grant that we may know and trust these gifts, that we may discover the joy they bring, and inspire us to serve and love out of that joy. In the name of the Risen Christ we pray. Amen.
(Scripture readings are from The Message translation)
Use the scripture passages and questions provided to help you reflect on the keys to generosity.
Count Your Blessings
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34
It is easier to focus on what we want and what we fear rather than on what we have. Pause to reflect on the things you are thankful for and all the ways that God blesses you. Acknowledge what money worries you do have. Share them with God in prayer.
Count Your Cash
Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure out the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: “He started something he couldn’t finish.” Luke 14:28-30
Budgeting is not just about trying to make our money last until the end of the month; it’s a spiritual exercise revealing our priorities. Review your monthly income and spending. What does it reveal about your priorities? What might God be calling you to change in the way you are allocating your money?
Learn to be Content
A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet that’s enough. 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Many people spend vast amounts of their time and amass large debts chasing their dreams only to find that their latest purchases provide only fleeting fulfillment. Reflect upon your lifestyle – are you spending your time and money on the things that are truly important to you? What would it mean for you to choose a simpler lifestyle?
Discover the Joy of Giving
Remember a stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own minds what you will give…God loves it when the giver delights in the giving…This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 10-12
The question we often ask is, “how much should I give?” We are called to reflect on the generosity of God’s nature, giving in ways that help us to experience the deeper joy of growing into the full stature of Christ. How much do you need to give so that you feel it stretches you? How much do you need to give to feel the joy God calls you to experience?
Live into the Hope of Community
They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe – all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common…People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. Acts 2:43-47
A sign of commitment to a community is our willingness to sacrifice something to meet the needs of others. As the body of Christ, our faith community demonstrates Christ’s love in practical ways through our many ministries. Where do you see need? What can you do to help? How will the giving of your time and resources impact the lives of others?
Stewardship Prayer
Nurturing God, your love is free, your compassion unconditional, and your mercy infinite. You shower upon us gifts abundant. Grant that we may know and trust these gifts, that we may discover the joy they bring, and inspire us to serve and love out of that joy. In the name of the Risen Christ we pray. Amen.
(Scripture readings are from The Message translation)