Stewardship Campaign for 2017 about to begin

Friday, Nov. 11, 2016

Currently, many parishes are in the midst of beginning their 2017 Stewardship Campaign. However, before beginning the 2017 campaign, each and every faithful steward of the Diocese of Salt Lake City should know how much their stewardship is appreciated. THANK YOU.

What does “steward” mean? A look at the dictionary says: “One who manages another’s property, finances, or other affairs.” In reality, isn’t stewardship what we are doing when we consider the fact that God has truly been the source of all the blessings we enjoy? God is the owner and we are the manager or “steward” of what he has entrusted to us. What an incredible opportunity and privilege God has given us: to faithfully manage all that is in our possession.

Our first focus in faithful stewardship must be the acknowledgement that without God we would have nothing. All that we have comes from him: “You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you” (Neh 9:6). These words, given to the prophet Nehemiah, are to remind the people of his time – and by extension us – to always remember that regardless of what blessings we might encounter, the Lord is the giver of those blessings.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, which some people celebrate one day of the year, I believe we as Christians can expand our understanding of thankfulness and be thankful on a daily/hourly basis for the provision of God.

As we recognize God as the owner of everything, our giving is not “painful” as it might be if we view ourselves as the “owner.”  What we give in stewardship is returning to God that which He has given us in the first place. It’s all his, and he asks for a portion back, a faithful portion.

We can ask God to guide us in our giving. Remember: Everything we have comes from Him – including our money. Confirm our commitment to Christ, affirm his generosity and then “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you” (Ps 37:5).