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GUIDELINES for Christian Stewards
The Seven T’s of Christian Stewardship
“Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God, and God’s family the Church, in managing all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes.” It’s more than “time, talent and treasure!” Being God’s steward in all of life involves seven “T’s.” Please give your prayerful attention to each of these biblical realities for life with God.
TIME: It’s a gift from God! ... each second, minute, hour, day! ... How we use them reflects our stewardship of God’s gift of life! See Psalm 31:15; Ecclesiastes 3 and 8; Esther 4:14.
TALENT: It’s a gift from God. Everyone has some! God gives talent in great variety! Read Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Discovering, developing and deploying those talents is a matter of our stewardship . . . individually and collectively!
TREASURE: Money is a gift from God. God owns it. God lets us earn and use it! Christians are God’s stewards! We are managers. We did not make our own brain! ... and we’ve never seen a moving van pulled behind a hearse! It all goes back to God! See Luke 12:13–21; Matt. 25:14–46; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8–9.
TESTIMONY: It’s a privilege to share the love Christ has given us! We are “stewards” of the Gospel and we have HIS story to tell! Stewards “testify” about HIS life-giving forgiveness, peace and hope! See John 10; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15; Rom. 1:16–17.
TOUCH: The amazing truth is: GOD works thru people with His grace . . . and as God’s stewards (instruments agents, managers), Jesus’ followers touch the lives of others with HIS compassion, care and love. Relationships matter! Consider Luke 15; Matt. 25:31–45; Matt. 19:13–15.
TISSUE: Being the steward, a caretaker of ones body is a matter of Christian stewardship. See 1 Cor. 3:16 and 6:19 about being God’s “temple!” ... being an organ or blood donor, giving of one’s God-given body parts for the benefit of another of God’s children is being a steward.
TRASH: The care of God’s creation, GOD’S earth, is a matter of stewardship (Genesis 1–2; Ps. 24:1–2; etc.) and what and how we discard things reflects on our awareness of GOD’S ownership and our management as stewards!
Being God’s steward is a daily, life-long privilege!
In our congregations we can help one another persevere in this holy calling!
May our Lord bless and multiply His stewards!
Source:
----------------------------Guidelines for Christian Stewards • Page 20--------------------------
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Stewardship Ministry • 1333 S. Kirkwood Road • St. Louis, MO 63122
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