A Stewardship of Life—Pastor’s Pen June 2018

This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant

Charles Lane writes in his book, “Ask, Thank, Tell” (Augsburg/Fortress,2006), that there are characteristics that the Bible lifts up when it talks about giving. Since the mission of stewardship is to help people grow in relationship with Jesus through their stewardship commitment, then it stands to reason that the goal of a congregation’s stewardship ministry is to lift up these characteristics and encourage all members to imitate them. One also thinks of these characteristics as values, and therefore, sees these values as a life of being a steward of what God has entrusted to us.

Lane identifies six values that I’d like to share with you. It is my hope that after reading and studying these six values, we all will be encouraged to make a Faith Commitment to the ongoing ministry and mission of First Lutheran Church.

The First Stewardship Value: Intentional

“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,  the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion” 2 Cor. 9:6-7

So what does it mean to be intentional in your giving? Being intentional in one’s giving is to develop a plan for your giving and then follow through with it. To be intentional is to make up your mind, to develop a plan for giving and then to “walk the walk” as you turn that plan into action. If we find ourselves looking in our wallets or purses as we get out of the car on Saturday night or Sunday morning to discover what may be available for the morning offering, then we probably have some work to do on being intentional in our giving. One of the greatest benefits of using “pledge cards” or “Faith Commitment cards” is that they help each steward to be intentional in giving. This is not to say that one can’t be intentional without filling out a card, but it might be more difficult. The discipline of a Faith Commitment card helps us to be intentional in our giving.

As your pastor, I encourage each of you to fill out a Faith Commitment card later this Fall. Filling out such a card helps the congregation plan for the ongoing mission and ministry of First Lutheran. As we move toward Faith Commitment Weekend on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11, 2018 prayerfully consider the amount you or you and your family wish to contribute to the life of First Lutheran Church. As Paul mentions, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind…” In other words, be intentional in your giving, develop a giving plan for the next year and then live to the plan.

Blessings and peace,

Pastor Steve