“Grow: A Steward Theology for Individuals and Congregations”

Dr. Ed Kruse

Director for Stewardship ELCA

July, 2010

The Model of Jesus – “Jesus grew…”

Jesus, in his human life, is the perfect respondent to God, the Steward.

Lk 2:51-52Ph 2:5-11

The life of Jesus is marked by

obedience and faithfulness to

God.

1. Steward Theology is“Gratitude Growth Living”

Grow means a “steward life” that:

Lifts worship to “week-long”Shifts support to “unwrapping gifts”Inspires service to “our need to give”Grows to “always having enough to give”Frees us from the “bondage of money”

-Ro 6:4, 13

Steward theology is about God’s relationship with all who are created in God’s image.

God’s relationship is:

1. Beyond our comprehension2. AND clearly revealed to us

In the Word made flesh In the resurrected life In gift-based vocation In glorifying God In building up the body of Christ

-Lk 9:45, 18:34, 1 Co 2:7, 2 Co 4:3, Jn 3:16

2. Stewards Grow in Faith

3. “Grow” Steward Theology is

Grace-based and God-directed

God’s dream for you and your congregation is rooted in God’s grace. God involves you in creating, restoring, and sustaining God’s world, all creatures, and all people.

All people can be drawn into a new

relationship with God

and into new life with purpose.

- -Ep 2:8-9

4. Steward Theology Is Visible

God is the chief steward, the “oikonomos” of creation, history, and the quality of the future.

God’s plan, “oikonomia,” God’s “economy,” calls us to be stewards of God’s: Intentions, Goals, and

Accomplishments

-Lk 19:11-27

Stewards Grow in “Following-Jesus-Attitudes/Actions”

Stewards recognize God’s plan and recognize Jesus at the center of that plan.

Stewards live into God’s plan.

5. Stewards Grow in Joyful WorshipIn the Old Testament God says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”

-Ex 20:3

Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.”

-Mt 22:37-38

“Worship is living one’s life in God.”

The First and the Best

When we offer our “first fruits” we are thanking God and trusting in God.

-De 26, Ps 119

6. Stewards Grow in Serving Others

The first commandment is to love God; the second, “…is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

-Mt 22

Feeding the hungryProviding drink for the

thirstyWelcoming the strangerClothing the nakedTaking care of the sickVisiting the prisonersComforting the

bereaved

7. Stewards Grow in Self-care

Self-Care and Vocational Fulfillment

A Christian approach to self-care and vocational fulfillment is marked by obedience and dependence upon God and God’s plan.

-Ps 1:1-3, 2 Ti 2:1-5

9. Stewards Grow In Rhythm

It is challenging to grow in living a balanced life; a rhythmic balance.

Work & Leisure Achievement & RelationshipSpending & Saving Responsibility & IndividualityPlenty & Poverty Commitment & Freedom

Giving & Receiving Planning & Trusting

-Ec 3:1-8

Our behavior impacts not only the lives of others of our species, but of the whole living world!

-Ge 1-2, Job 38-39, Ps 104

10. Stewards Care for God’s Creation

Our celebration of creation means

stewarding God’s creation!

11. Stewards Grow Relationships

Lives of Meaning and PurposePeople derive meaning and

purpose through: Their relationship with God. Their interaction with the

community of faith, the organism we call the Body of Christ, the church.

-1 Co 12:12-31

12. Stewards Grow in Generosity

Lives of Meaning and PurposeStewards offer what God has given them:

Selves… Time… Possessions…

Signs of our relationship with God and with one another. These give meaning and purpose to life.

-LBW 80, 129

God’s Purpose for You - Glorify God and Build Up the Body of Christ

God Makes a Difference Through God-glorifying Desires

Desire to serve GodDesire to build the Body of ChristDesire to make a difference for God1 Co. 12:26-27

13. Stewards Grow in Building the Body of Christ

In the church we gather as Jesus-followers and praise God in Jesus-communities that use their gifts to make a difference in the local and global community.

Church leaders connect to each other for the sake of Jesus Christ.

-1 Co 12:26-27

14. Stewards Grow Free from the Bondage of Money

Americans are in bondage to wealth and the things money claims to be able to provide.

-Lk 12:16-24

Bondage sometimes looks like

1. consumerism

2. Accumulation

3. Stinginess,

4. Miserliness

5. Fear of loss

6. Fear of gain, or

7. Debt

Freedom from Bondage

Stewardship teaching offers the possibility of providing a perspective that is larger than that provided by advertisements or financial pages.

Generosity Is Its Own Reward

Spiritual life is a life of generosity. God is the Great Giver.

Those who grow in generosity bear fruit out of a deeper understanding of and love for God.

15. Stewards Grow “to and from” the TitheTithing is a particularly useful way to practice generosity. We define tithing as giving one-tenth (10%) of one’s income.

It is not a small amount

It requires an act of faith

It is a significant action

Tithes, offerings, & alms -Ma 3:8-10, He 7:2-9, Mt 6:21, Lk 12:34

Tithing

God’s grace may lead us to “act our way into thinking” or “think our way into acting.” Either way our behaviors change and our faith grows.

-Jn. 7, Mt. 6

Tithing is a Mark of a Growing and Joyful Steward

Generous people discover deeper joy as they grow in giving.

Tithers think of themselves as giving to God “through” the church rather than “to” the church.

There are few, if any, disgruntled tithers.

Generous Giving

“You know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” -2 Co. 8

Christians contribute generously, even sacrificially, as followers of Jesus who generously gave his life!

16. Most of All, Stewards Grow in Trusting God

Giving generously grows our of trusting God’s promise to provide “every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”

-2 Co 9:6-13

True prosperity is more than riches; it is learning to share and trust!

A Steward Grows in Trusting the Promises of God (cont’d)

God’s generosity renews our daily generous giving as we worship God and serve God’s people.

-Ro. 12

A life of meaning and purpose flows in the abundance of God.

A Stewards’ Prayer

(In unison) Dear Lord God, in Christ you have given us so much. You have given us Jesus. You have given us everything we are and have. Give us one thing more – a grateful heart; not just for our sake, but for Jesus’ sake. Amen.