St. Paul and Stewardship

 

The Apostle Paul

We learn from St. Paul, in this last Sunday's second reading from First Corinthians, that all good stewards must care for their gifts responsibly.  A crucial line is, 'it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.' 1 Corinthians 4:2, but what does that mean for us?

Perhaps, it is easier for us to understand, when we recall that God is just giving us temporary custody, as stewards, as caretakers, of all that we have.  Everything really belongs to God and ultimately must be returned to Him!

As stewardship leaders in our parishes, it is our role to remind our parishioners that all of us must examine how trustworthy we have been in using the gifts God has given each of us, according to His purposes. After contemplating below, feel free to use in the stewardship section of your bulletin or wherever it may help your parishioners:

As we read the below scripture from St. Paul, let us examine our hearts to see if we are using our resources in a responsible way.  In any area for which we find ourselves wanting, we can ask the Lord to help us be trustworthy stewards of the gifts that we have been given.

1 Corinthians Chapter 4: 1-5

Brothers and Sisters:
Thus should one regard us; as servants of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of god.
Now it is of course required of stewards
that they be found trustworthy.
It does not concern me in the least
that I be judged by you or any human tribunal;
I do not even pass judgment on myself;
I am not conscious of anything against me,
but I do not thereby stand acquitted;
the one who judges me is the Lord.
Therefore do not make any judgment before the appointed time,
until the Lord comes,
for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness
and will manifest the motives of our hearts,
and then everyone will receive praise from God.

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