An anonymous author observes: “Money will buy a bed but not sleep, books but not brains, food but not an appetite, finery but not beauty, a house but not a home, medicine but not health, luxuries but not culture, amusement but not happiness, and a crucifix but not a Savior.” Our greatest treasure is found not in our material wealth, but in the richness of our faith in God. While our financial treasure should be used to support our spiritual treasure, the contribution we offer to God is a small token compared with the great blessings He bestows upon us.
In gratitude for all of the talents with which we are blessed, we use those skills to benefit others, to benefit the world, and to benefit God’s eternal Kingdom. “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
We can’t stop it, we can’t store it, we can’t touch it, and we can’t change it. Time is one of our most precious gifts from God. This month, we explore the stewardship of time. In gratitude for all of time that God freely gives to us, for each of our earthly lives, and for the promise of eternal salvation, we dedicate a portion of our time to God through prayer, sacred studies, and execution of His good works.
Last month, we introduced stewardship as way to personally express gratitude for the gifts God has shared with us by giving back a portion of our time, talent, and treasure. This month, we explore stewardship from a universal perspective as we consider caring for creation.
When we recognize that everything is a gift from God shared with us freely and lovingly, our natural response is to reciprocate. Stewardship, therefore, is our gift back to God in appreciation for His providence and mercy.