Steadfast Stewardship:Consistent Giving,Generous Living

Life changes when you become responsible for someone else. When a child is born, when a family

member needs our care, or when someone depends upon us in a new way, our priorities begin to change. We learn to think not only about what we need, but about what someone else needs from us. We become more intentional with our time, our resources, and our choices because we know that others are counting on us. That same truth is at the heart of this year’s stewardship theme: Steadfast Stewardship: Consistent Giving, Generous Living.

Generosity is one of the core values of our congregation. Over the years, St. Stephen Martyr has become a congregation that people can count on. We support ministries within our church, but our generosity also reaches far beyond our walls. Through our giving, we support organizations such as the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Urban Ark, Habitat for Humanity, Christ for All Rural Missions in Ghana, and many others. People we may never meet have come to rely on the generosity of God's people.

The Bible gives us a wonderful picture of this kind of stewardship. When Israel built the Tabernacle and later the Temple, God's people brought offerings to make it possible. They gave for the materials, the workers, the upkeep, and the ongoing life of the worshiping community. The Temple was not simply a building to maintain; it was the place where God's people gathered to worship and where their life together as God's people was centered.

But the prophets continually reminded Israel that caring for God's house or their own could never become an excuse for forgetting God's people. Isaiah called God's people to “share your bread with the hungry” and to care for those who were vulnerable. The people of God were called to hold two responsibilities together: care for what God has entrusted to us and care for those who depend upon our generosity.

We face that same balance today. We have a responsibility to maintain our church, care for our facilities, provide for our staff and employees, and sustain the ministries that happen here every week. At the same time, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to look beyond ourselves and continue supporting the people and ministries in our community and around the world who depend upon our generosity.

So perhaps the question for us this year is not simply, “How much more can I give?” Instead, we might ask, “How can I move even a little more of my time, talents, and treasures toward serving others?”

Perhaps it means giving more consistently. Perhaps it means finding a ministry where your gifts can make a difference. Perhaps it means setting aside time to serve someone who needs you. Perhaps it means putting your giving on a regular schedule so that the ministries we support can count on us throughout the year.

Most importantly, we look to Christ. Jesus did not simply give something for us; he gave himself for us. His life was poured out in love for the sake of others. As we consider our own stewardship, we are invited to consider the same question: How can I give of myself for the sake of others?

Our consistent giving makes ministry possible. Our time makes ministry personal. Our talents make ministry stronger. And our generosity becomes one of the ways God's love reaches people who are counting on us.

This year, may we continue to be a congregation that others can count on.

Steadfast in our giving. Generous in our living.