Time, Talent, Treasure
STEWARDSHIP IS HOW we use our God-given gifts; it is how we use our time, our talents, and our treasure to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world. Here is a way to look at these aspects of stewardship.
TIME
The gift of time.
None of us has ENOUGH of it. All of us want MORE. How much time do you set aside for God? Yourself? How often do you pray? Meditate? How about time for family and friends and those in need? Our time on earth is limited and our time is fleeting. Make the most of your time by following in the footsteps of Jesus. Study, pray, volunteer. Most of all make a commitment of your time. You will be happier, healthier, renewed, and God will be pleased!
TALENT
We are all blessed with talents by God—-you just may not have discovered them yet!
Perhaps you have a professional trade, an artistic ability, or good organizational skills that could help the church. Maybe you have a beautiful voice and could sing praises to our Lord and be a part of the choir. There are lots of opportunities here at Celebration to express your talents and explore new ones. Be thoughtful and creative! God will be pleased!
TREASURE
It’s my money—-I worked hard for it!
Remember, God owns everything. No Christian owns any money. They have been assigned the duty and granted the privilege of managing a certain amount of money. Thus each Christian is a steward of God’s astounding creation. A faithful steward shuns ostentation and seeks proper use of the gifts of God’s creation. God is not critical of those who do well and make a good living. But we are reminded of the story of the rich young man who came to Jesus wanting to inherit eternal life. (Mark 10: 17-22) Jesus reminds him of the commandments, and when the young man replies, “teacher I have kept all these [commandments] since my youth,” Mark reports the following:
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing;
go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you
will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me” (10:21).
1 Book of Order, G-2.0500a.(3)