The Orthodox Messenger

Vol. I, No. 41– Sunday, October 27, 2002

Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta

Services Held at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL -  (352) 796-8482

                                        

 

DOES “STEWARDSHIP” MEAN JUST GIVING MONEY?

 

“Money” is what a lot of people think when they hear the word “Stewardship.” But that is a big mistake. The Bible uses the word “Stewardship” in a much broader way. For example, read this passage in which St. Paul speaks about his work as an Apostle: “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

    As “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God,” St. Paul is using the word “Steward” to refer to the whole life of the Christian, in whatever role we have in the Church. It is very close to what we pray for repeatedly in the Divine Liturgy and the other services of our Orthodox Church worship: “Let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God.”  To be a “Steward” means to live as a “servant of Christ,” and to protect, preserve, and to live daily the “mysteries of God.” So, you see, “Stewardship is much, much more than money alone. Money, surely, is part of the meaning of Stewardship, but even the money part of it is part of the more important larger meaning of Stewardship.

   Stewardship is a personal thing. When St. Paul spoke about his own Stewardship in the Church, he said: “I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles -- assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you . . . ” (Ephesians 3:1-2). St. Paul’s stewardship was his mission outreach to the non-Jewish peoples of his time and place to bring the message of Christian life to them. It was a “stewardship of God’s grace.”

   IN THE SAME MANNER, each of us Orthodox Christians has a three-fold mission given to us. Ours is a stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure. In the coming weeks, we will talk about these aspects of our own personal stewardship in the life of Christ’s Church. Today, it is enough to remember that our stewardship as members of Christ’s Church refers to our whole way of life, that puts into practice our beliefs and commitments to God in Christ, and through His Holy Spirit. If you are reading this with any sense of identity as a Christian, you are already a Steward. The only question is whether you are fully aware of its implications. NEXT WEEK: “The Stewardship of Time.”

7th Sunday of Luke

EPISTLE – 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

RETHREN, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

GOSPEL – Luke 8:41-56

T THAT TIME, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

 

MANY THANKS to Dorothy Triantafilon for designing our 2003 Stewardship logo.