Time, Talent & Treasure

Time, Talent & Treasure ... Stewardship

Are we faithful stewards of all that God provides? Consider the following commentary taken from the Episcopal Church Office of Stewardship:

"Stewardship is about being grateful, responsible stewards of the gifts we receive from God. The tradition of giving back to God and to the church comes from the Biblical practice of “tithing,” which means to give back a tenth of our earnings to God (Numbers 18:26). The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church; it’s also about contributing time and talents, and volunteering for ministry and mission. It’s about reaching out to build relationships from a perspective of abundance instead of scarcity."

Take a moment to consider what one member of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Kapolei, Hawaii wrote concerning stewardship of "Time, Talent and Treasure."

"What can I do with my (God-given) time, with my (God-given) talents and with my (God-given) treasure to further the work He wants us to do as Christians? What can I do with my Time Talent and Treasure to help spread the Good News? What can I do with my Time Talent and Treasure to reach out to those in need? It is the call of each of us to pray over these questions and listen for God's response."

Included in our contemporary hymnal of "Wonder, Love & Praise," is "The Summons" by John Bell, a Scotsman and member of the Iona Community. The words of this simple yet beautiful hymn speak to what we are each called to do as stewards of God's gifts:

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown?

Will you let my name be known, will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?