The season of fall brings to mind many things. School starts and all the attendant activities commence as well. Most churches begin a program year. It is also the beginning of the annual stewardship drive.
I suspect most of us consider the annual drive as a season that passes, like fall. For a few months, we hear stewardship presentations. We read letters crafted by the group spearheading the drive. Many of us take stock and make our pledge. Then, it is over until next year.
While the annual drive is an important and necessary element of stewardship, it is not all of it. I think of stewardship as a much more holistic approach to my life as a person of faith. For me, the pledge is a mark of commitment to the Church and God. It is my “Yes!” to God’s invitation to be an active participant in the Kingdom. The pledge has a sacramental quality; it is a tangible sign of God’s work in my life. The sign is important and necessary, but it points beyond itself to something more.
As Christians, we claim that God is the source of creation and the material world. As creatures, God entrusts us with the management of creation and our possessions. On a daily basis, we make personal decisions about allocating our attention and resources. Jesus’ ministry is one of calling us to direct our hearts and minds in God’s direction. Jesus inaugurates a new day of communion with God and one another. Stewardship is our daily investment and cooperation with Jesus’ ministry.
The annual drive is underway. Churches are asking for pledges and support in meeting Jesus’ Kingdom objectives. Stewardship doesn’t end with the signed pledge card.
God, thank you for what I have! God, where do you want me? God, how can I serve you in bringing about the Kingdom?
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