Kinsman Presbyterian Church

From the Pastor

November 2009

When the leaves begin to fall in the yard, I know that Stewardship Sunday is just around the corner. The Stewardship Committee is preparing the dreaded stewardship letter that will ask us to make a pledge in support of the church's annual financial responsibilities. But true Christian stewardship is much more than a financial pledge.

A biblical steward is "a word used to translate a number of terms and expressions in the Bible common to all of which is the idea of "overseeing" the possessions, business affairs, property, servants, the training of children, etc., of an owner or master," according to Harper's Bible Dictionary. Stewards were entrusted with a wide variety of responsibilities. Adam and Eve were given the responsibility to name the animals, care for the Garden of Eden, and given dominion over all the earth. Abraham's servant, who was in charge of all that his master possessed, was sent to find a wife for Isaac. Joseph was set over all of Potiphar's household and eventually became overseer of all the affairs of Egypt.

In Christian circles, we are agents of God's affairs here on earth until our Lord comes again to collect the Children of God. God has given us a wide variety of spiritual gifts, physical abilities, human talents, resources, even human life which should be used in service of the Kingdom of God. We are Christian overseers of everything we have and we should use those blessings to spread God's love to all those around us. The Bible tells us, "Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received," in 1 Peter 4:10. Elders are overseers of their congregations, (Titus 1:5-9).

When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we dedicate our lives and all we possess to the service of the Kingdom of God. This is very easy to say but it becomes very complicated to put into practice in our everyday existence. One gift of God that seems most difficult to give to God is our precious time. In our modern fast-paced society, it is very challenging to tithe our time to God. God has given us 24 hours in one day, so a tithe would be 2 ½ hours per day in service to the Kingdom of God. In keeping with the teachings of the New Testament, this might be accomplished by sharing Christian love to another, helping a person in need, forgiving a coworker, telling someone about Christ, working for a charity, serving the church, or just spending time with God in prayer, Bible reading, or meditation on scripture.

Grandparents love to share a few hours with their children and grandchildren. In the same manner, a loving and compassionate God wants to spend a few cherished hours with the Children of God. God wants a special relationship with his children and longs to share special moments where we grow more in love with our heavenly Father.

During a period of economic distress when resources are limited, instead of increasing our financial giving, we can increase our tithe by sharing quality time with God, in service of our Lord, sharing the gospel with others, developing Christian relationships, or helping another in need.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Larry