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Stewardship
can be a confusing term for
Catholics. For many years, “stewardship” has been seen as a
predominately Protestant term that was synonymous with raising
money. When the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s
Pastoral Letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response was
published in 1992, a new concept was introduced to most Catholics.
Stewardship was no longer simply a way to raise money. Stewardship
is now understood as a way of life, the faithful response of
a Christian disciple to the Lord’s invitation to follow Him “without
counting the cost.”
In Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops offers four essential characteristics of a
Christian steward: Who is a Christian Steward? One who receives
God’s gifts gratefully, cultivates them responsibly, shares them
lovingly in justice with others, and returns them with increase to
the Lord.
If one is to
grow as a steward, one must give attention to these four areas.
Stewardship is not a program. It is a way of life, an attitude
of the mind and heart that is expressed in action. Christian
stewards are women and men who acknowledge God as the owner and
giver of all things. We are called to be stewards of all God’s
blessings – both material and spiritual.
Generous
sharing is one of the concrete actions that results from a
stewardship attitude that affects the way we think and the way we
live. When we think like stewards we want to share all the
blessings that God has given us. The Church provides many
opportunities for Christian disciples to develop and share God’s
gifts as we give to God through the parish, diocesan ministries, and
through the Church’s missionary outreach – at home and in far away
lands. |
