Stewardship Stew

some questions and answers

by Wayne Pelzel, Director

diocesan Office of Stewardship

Isn’t all this talk about stewardship really just a fancy gimmick to entice people into giving to the church?

Stewardship should have an impact on how people give, but it really is much more spiritual than that. Stewardship is a way of life based on the belief that God is the giver of everything. The Christian steward further believes that since everything we have comes from God, we have a responsibility to give some of those gifts we receive back to God.

Just what is included in “everything” we get from God?

Most importantly, God gives us life. The time we have here on earth is a gift from God to us. Secondly, the talents and abilities we have been given are gifts from the Father to us as well. And finally, the treasure we accumulate as we go through life is also a gift from God. Often, these three categories of gifts from God are summed up as “time, talent and treasure.”

I don’t really understand how I would give “time” back to God. How would I do that?

Since God gives us the time we have here on earth, the Christian steward wants to return some of that time to God. Anything that we do that helps to build God’s kingdom here on earth is a way that we give time back to God. Have you been asked to help with anything in your parish or community lately? Filling that need would be a great way you could give back to God. In addition, have you spent any quality time in prayer lately, or for that matter, attended daily Mass? These are just some of the many wonderful ways we can give “time” back to Him who gives us all our time.

I’m growing older and my talents are limited. What can I do?

Our talents are so varied and they may change as we age, but we all have God given talents that He wants us to share no matter what our age. Everyone can pray and prayer is a wonderful gift. There are so many people and situations that would benefit from our prayer. Other possibilities include filling in for the parish secretary answering the phone so she can do another task. Every school can use people to listen to first graders read. Talk to your pastor or someone in a leadership position in your parish or school. They can match you with a good place to direct your volunteer efforts.

You talked about stewardship as being deeply spiritual. Could you explain further what that means?

God’s plan is that as His disciples we would all have a part of building His kingdom here on earth. God so loves us that He wants us to be part of that kingdom. Out of that great love for us He gives us “time, talent, and treasure” with the desire that we will use some of it for ourselves and some of it to help build His kingdom. God also gives us a free will. He knows that we need some of the gifts to live, but He’s so generous that He gives us more than we need. Recognizing God’s generosity to us, our willful act of returning to God gifts He has given us builds our relationship with Him. In that relationship we don’t give because we have to, but because we want to. Giving back is our joyful response to God’s generosity to us.

If I wanted to practice stewardship what must I give?

I think the answer would be tied to the New Testament parable about the poor widow who gave her few small coins. Our gift must be sacrificial. In other words, it must be a sacrifice. It’s not enough to give out of our excess. Some of us have greater financial resources and thus are called to give more. Others have more time and it is precisely that gift we are asked to share. We should give a portion of all that we have been given. The important question we must ask ourselves is how much do I “need” to give because I have been so blessed.