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Tuesday, November 21, 2023

 

                                     MAKE STEWARDSHIP ABOUT DOING

 

            I was preaching recently, and the scripture was based on Luke 17:11-29, and the story of the healing of the ten lepers. I was talking about being thankful, which is a pretty good topic for the Sunday before Thanksgiving, but just as the one leper that was healed stepped out to go the priests even before anything had changed (as had the other nine), he also returned to Jesus. He didn’t go to the priest, or his family, or his life, but instead returned to Jesus to thank him. It led to a discussion about what kind of action is Jesus looking for from us? Has God's Holy Spirit been urging us toward some action step? Has the Lord been tugging at us for some step of faith? Is there a family, a friend, or even a stranger in need of help this Thanksgiving season? Is there something you feel compelled to do?



            This week, after giving this message, I was re-reading a booklet put out by VANCO, titled The Complete Guide to Church Stewardship. That book gave eight rules for effective church leadership. And the first rule was: Make Stewardship About Doing!

            I was thrown when I realized that a non-stewardship sermon given about giving thanks also led right into this “rule.” The author of the booklet talked about the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-28). The focus of the rule was “that stewardship should not be about giving only but doing.”[i]

            How often do we talk about the needs of the church, the needs of people and then ask people to give. We need to articulate a vision of what giving will do: (1) for them; (2) for the church; and (3) for those impacted by the gift.


            Lives have to be changed; otherwise what is the purpose in giving? If we can’t tell stories, different stories, regularly, about changed lives because of what we’re doing, then what are we doing? Are we really a church?

            Remember, giving is part of worshipping God. Members are part of the mission of the church. People are not just funders of the mission. ALL giving has to be about how they are contributing to God’s work; impacting lives.

 

 

            If you wish more information on anything you’ve been reading about, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com or susanranous@unyumc.org.  I’d be happy to help or answer any questions.



[i] The Complete Guide to Church Stewardship by Vanco Payments.com

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