Consider that which has been given to you
This is the article I submitted this morning to the parish office for inclusion in the October Trumpet.
Dear fellow Trinitarians,
We are so blessed. As I write this, the television is filled with images of Rita and Katrina's destruction; the newspapers headlines have been focused on the Gulf Coast for weeks; the internet is abuzz with analysis of what went right and what went wrong with our response to the hurricanes. And, today, Jenny and I found out that her grandmother's home and her father's home are under water in their little town of Erath along the coast.
We, here in Portsmouth and here at Trinity, have much to be thankful for. And, it is in the spirit of that thankfulness that I write to you today.
As you undoubtedly know, our Christian Formation time these past few weeks have been focusing on stewardship. That means, of course, that our parish's focus has returned once again to stewardship.
What is stewardship?
What is stewardship? Quite simply it is this: we have been given much; stewardship is our caring for that which we have.
We have all been given time and talents and treasures. Sure, you may think that some people have more treasure; and, perhaps you may think you've been shortchanged in the talents department. I'd say this: we've all been given much. The question is this: what are you doing with what you've been given?
I'd ask that you prayerfully consider that question: what are you doing with that which has been entrusted to you?
Time: A gift received equally
Each of us has been given the gift of time. We each have 168 hours a week to spend. How do you spend your 168 hours? Do you spend some of that time giving back to your fellow world citizens, doing the work of God in the world around you? Or, do you work and come home and veg out for the evening only to do it all over again the next day. It is so easy in today's busy world for each of us to look inward, focus on our work and our family, and do nothing of substance – in terms of taking care of God's work here on earth – with our time.
I certainly don't want to lay a guilt-trip down in front of you, spread before you like a throw rug in the entrance to your home, but I do want you to think about what you do with your time.
Talents: Each of us is given much
Directly related to this notion of how you spend your time is the notion of talents. Each of us has some things we do well. Each of us has God-given talents. I can sometimes string words together to form coherent sentences; I can help people who have experienced traumatic stress find relief and a way to own the event; I can sing loudly and off-key. There's a host of other talents I have too (I change a mean diaper). Now if I hold those talents in, or if I use those talents only for my own gain, I'm not being a good steward. If I hide those talents, I've done nothing more than throw a bushel over the flame.
Treasure: What we have isn't really ours
The last of the three realms of gifts we are stewards is treasure. Traditionally, we think of this as money or finances, and certainly that's a part of it. But it's more than that. It's everything in the physical world. Our parish has been entrusted with a beautiful, historical church building; it is, quite simply, a treasure. And we need to care for it; as stewards we must ensure the building stands for those who come after us.
On an individual level, all that we have is merely a gift from on high. Perhaps I think I have worked hard for what I have, but in actuality, it is a gift; what I have in this physical world, I am merely holding and caring for... and entrusted to use these things for good.
Our purpose with God's work
Now, here's the clincher. Earlier I asked that you prayerfully consider what you are doing with that which has been entrusted to you. I would suggest that all of us are here on this earth for some purpose; without this believe, I'd fall into the existential void, and likely you would, too. So, we have a purpose, whatever that may be. The gifts we have been given help us fulfill that purpose. Likewise, the Church is here for a purpose to. That existential purpose is a bit easier to fathom: to do God's work here on earth. Perhaps that is not the complete purpose, but it is certainly a large part of it.
We make up the Church. You and I and all of us, and it is we who do that work. We make it so the Church can do its work by providing it treasure and we do that work by contributing our time and talents.
Our work in the Church starts with our parish and our parish life. To prayerfully consider what you are doing with that which has been entrusted to you is to consider how much of it you are putting back into God's work.
Our upcoming every-member-canvass
Sadly, God's work cannot be done without financial resources. Yes, you knew it was coming to this point, didn't you.
It is the fall, so that must mean that we at Trinity Church are looking forward to the next fiscal year which means, of course, we are looking to see how much our parish members will pledge this year.
I almost didn't want to go there since many of us equate stewardship with the “annual pledge drive.” I wanted, truly to keep this discussion above that, for we are certainly not public radio or some other worthy secular institution; we are an institution of faith, of hope, of love.
We are not above needing financial resources, however. Elsewhere in this Trumpet, you'll read about our every-member canvass this fall. Before you turn to that article – and I suggest you do read it since you (yes, you) will have an important part in our every member canvass – please do prayerfully consider how you steward that which has been given to you in the form of time, talent, and, yes, treasure.
In conclusion: coming round full circle
And, as you consider that which you have, consider all that those along the Gulf Coast lost in September. Please pray for the recovery of all the people and communities along the coast that have found their lives turned upside down.
And, finally, please periodically visit our stewardship blog.
Peace to all.
Dear fellow Trinitarians,
We are so blessed. As I write this, the television is filled with images of Rita and Katrina's destruction; the newspapers headlines have been focused on the Gulf Coast for weeks; the internet is abuzz with analysis of what went right and what went wrong with our response to the hurricanes. And, today, Jenny and I found out that her grandmother's home and her father's home are under water in their little town of Erath along the coast.
We, here in Portsmouth and here at Trinity, have much to be thankful for. And, it is in the spirit of that thankfulness that I write to you today.
As you undoubtedly know, our Christian Formation time these past few weeks have been focusing on stewardship. That means, of course, that our parish's focus has returned once again to stewardship.
What is stewardship?
What is stewardship? Quite simply it is this: we have been given much; stewardship is our caring for that which we have.
We have all been given time and talents and treasures. Sure, you may think that some people have more treasure; and, perhaps you may think you've been shortchanged in the talents department. I'd say this: we've all been given much. The question is this: what are you doing with what you've been given?
I'd ask that you prayerfully consider that question: what are you doing with that which has been entrusted to you?
Time: A gift received equally
Each of us has been given the gift of time. We each have 168 hours a week to spend. How do you spend your 168 hours? Do you spend some of that time giving back to your fellow world citizens, doing the work of God in the world around you? Or, do you work and come home and veg out for the evening only to do it all over again the next day. It is so easy in today's busy world for each of us to look inward, focus on our work and our family, and do nothing of substance – in terms of taking care of God's work here on earth – with our time.
I certainly don't want to lay a guilt-trip down in front of you, spread before you like a throw rug in the entrance to your home, but I do want you to think about what you do with your time.
Talents: Each of us is given much
Directly related to this notion of how you spend your time is the notion of talents. Each of us has some things we do well. Each of us has God-given talents. I can sometimes string words together to form coherent sentences; I can help people who have experienced traumatic stress find relief and a way to own the event; I can sing loudly and off-key. There's a host of other talents I have too (I change a mean diaper). Now if I hold those talents in, or if I use those talents only for my own gain, I'm not being a good steward. If I hide those talents, I've done nothing more than throw a bushel over the flame.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.I'm always struck when I learn about people & their talents... and how so often they hide those talents or only bring them out for certain people. Doesn't seem right, does it? To be a good steward is to actually use – to a good end – that to which has been entrusted.
~~ Matthew 5:14-16 (New International Version)
Treasure: What we have isn't really ours
The last of the three realms of gifts we are stewards is treasure. Traditionally, we think of this as money or finances, and certainly that's a part of it. But it's more than that. It's everything in the physical world. Our parish has been entrusted with a beautiful, historical church building; it is, quite simply, a treasure. And we need to care for it; as stewards we must ensure the building stands for those who come after us.
On an individual level, all that we have is merely a gift from on high. Perhaps I think I have worked hard for what I have, but in actuality, it is a gift; what I have in this physical world, I am merely holding and caring for... and entrusted to use these things for good.
Our purpose with God's work
Now, here's the clincher. Earlier I asked that you prayerfully consider what you are doing with that which has been entrusted to you. I would suggest that all of us are here on this earth for some purpose; without this believe, I'd fall into the existential void, and likely you would, too. So, we have a purpose, whatever that may be. The gifts we have been given help us fulfill that purpose. Likewise, the Church is here for a purpose to. That existential purpose is a bit easier to fathom: to do God's work here on earth. Perhaps that is not the complete purpose, but it is certainly a large part of it.
We make up the Church. You and I and all of us, and it is we who do that work. We make it so the Church can do its work by providing it treasure and we do that work by contributing our time and talents.
Our work in the Church starts with our parish and our parish life. To prayerfully consider what you are doing with that which has been entrusted to you is to consider how much of it you are putting back into God's work.
Our upcoming every-member-canvass
Sadly, God's work cannot be done without financial resources. Yes, you knew it was coming to this point, didn't you.
It is the fall, so that must mean that we at Trinity Church are looking forward to the next fiscal year which means, of course, we are looking to see how much our parish members will pledge this year.
I almost didn't want to go there since many of us equate stewardship with the “annual pledge drive.” I wanted, truly to keep this discussion above that, for we are certainly not public radio or some other worthy secular institution; we are an institution of faith, of hope, of love.
We are not above needing financial resources, however. Elsewhere in this Trumpet, you'll read about our every-member canvass this fall. Before you turn to that article – and I suggest you do read it since you (yes, you) will have an important part in our every member canvass – please do prayerfully consider how you steward that which has been given to you in the form of time, talent, and, yes, treasure.
In conclusion: coming round full circle
And, as you consider that which you have, consider all that those along the Gulf Coast lost in September. Please pray for the recovery of all the people and communities along the coast that have found their lives turned upside down.
And, finally, please periodically visit our stewardship blog.
Peace to all.
posted by Peter A. Stinson at 9:14 AM
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