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.
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