Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. – James 1:17
Theology and Best Practice of Stewardship
Proverbs 3:9 – Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.
Often our focus, in the area of stewardship, is on the what our needs are and the how we meet those needs, whether in regard to giving financially or service. While such a focus is essential, we also profit by considering the central question of why we should think and talk about stewardship from a biblical perspective, thereby laying a solid foundation for our work in regards to what and how. Delving more deeply into this theological topic will reveal who we are and what our call is not only as His ambassadors, but also as co-builders of the Kingdom of God on earth – the holy, Christian church.
TOP FIVE RESOURCES
- LCMS Faith Aflame Stewardship Emphasis This short essay, which considers stewardship from a Lutheran perspective, can serve as an individual or group study into the scriptural and Lutheran underpinnings for stewardship.
- Stewardship Under the Cross: Stewardship for the Confessional Lutheran Parish (lcms.org) This e-book is an in-depth and thorough discussion of the topic of the theology of stewardship. This resource was prepared by Rev. Heath Curtis, coordinator of the LCMS Stewardship Ministry.
- Thinking About Stewardship Study Guide by Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis professor. This guide can be used as a standalone study or for use in conjunction with the video presentation (below) made by Dr. Biermann for the Nebraska District PALS group.
- Thinking About Stewardship, Session 1 on Vimeo This is a 6-part video presentation by Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis professor, given to the Nebraska District PALS group.
- Stewardship Ministry Archives – LCMS Resources This link takes you to the LCMS Stewardship Ministry page and provides a variety of resources for use by pastors and leaders of parish stewardship ministries. Check back often as newsletters are updated regularly.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
LCMS Document Library – Article on tithes and offerings from the LCMS Stewardship Ministry.
LCMS Document Library – Article addressing stewardship as a whole life activity.
Resources for the Church
Resources for Individual
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
1Cor. 16:2
“It’s not easy to write,” said my friend from Seminary. He was talking about a 10% tithe check to his church after getting his first Call into the ministry. “Writing that stewardship gift when I was making 500 a month as a student worker? Easy! But writing a check with a few more zeros?! Not easy!” he lamented.
We all laughed, yet I suspect that the reflection we privately undertook after our conversation was a solemn task for each one of us. Would we give freely to the Lord, without thought of how it may come back to us?
Every Christian has a different story and a different walk with the Lord. Maybe your parents modeled stewardship to you like they did for my friend and me, and, when beginning your working life, giving generously came naturally to you. But maybe you had next to no parents or guardians modeling Christian stewardship for you.
Well, no matter where you may fall on that spectrum, you’ve come to the right place. On this Web page, we want to introduce you to simple resources designed to help you budget, calculate wise ongoing and extra stewardship gifts, and plan your legacy gifts to the glory of God’s name.
TOP FIVE RESOURCES
BASIC MONTHLY PLANNING
Thrivent continues to offer some good resources. They’re available at https://www.thrivent.com/posts/budgeting-and-saving/
SAVING FOR AN EMERGENCY FUND
https://www.thrivent.com/posts/budgeting-and-saving/how-to-start-saving-for-an-emergency-fund.html
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
How do you know how much to give in your offering (II Corinthians 8)? What you feel compelled in your heart to give? No, this cannot be zero dollars or too few dollars (see Acts 5)! Look to God’s grace.
Key Link: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/daves-advice-on-tithing-and-giving#:~:text=What%20Is%20Tithing%3F,as%20part%20of%20their%20faith
LEGACY PLANNING
Both your funeral service and the directives for your estate are important ways you can give a final witness to the power and saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
https://www.thrivent.com/posts/financial-planning/essential-estate-planning-documents.html.