Stewardship @ Fishcreek Nazarene Worship Center

Stewardship – a rare word in our culture, but in the church stewardship evokes images of money and giving.  But stewardship is much broader than that.

A steward is someone who has been entrusted with something of value on behalf of someone else. As Christians, we understand that God has given us time, talents, and treasure. As God’s stewards we are accountable to Him for how we use these valuable gifts. As Christian stewards, we accept and teach that everything we have is a gift from God; therefore, it is our job to manage these resources (our time, talent, treasure, and touch) in ways that are pleasing to the Lord.

TIME – One of the most preciously guarded commodities in our culture is our time. Many are driven by concepts of success that require two (or more) jobs (sometimes by both spouses) just to live at a certain economic level. Time for most of us is at a premium and it requires great effort just to maintain significant relationships. It is far too easy for some to say, “Sunday is my only day off and I just want to be at home with my family.” The truth is that no one values the family more than God. He designed family relationships to illustrate the relationship between Himself and humankind. As we understand how to make sacrifices for the sake of others we understand our obligations to the Lord. No one has ever suffered due to giving God our time in some place of service to His church. At Fishcreek we understand that we must invest a portion of our time in God’s church if we hope to provide a ministry that blesses our community.

TALENT - The New Testament tells us that every believer has been given spiritual gifts for service. Gifts such as ‘hospitality’ and ‘helps’ create a welcoming environment in which believer and non-believer alike feel comfortable and valued in church family settings. Other gifts enable some to teach, preach, prophecy (declare the mighty acts of God and their implications for Christian life), pray with discernment, and administer the various leadership needs of the church in a most effective manner. Whatever one has been gifted to accomplish, we must remember that with giftedness comes responsibility to offer those gifts back to the Lord in service to the church. Abilities such as music and other appropriate art forms add wonderful dimensions to the worship experience. However God has equipped each believer, the purpose is for the building up of the church and God’s kingdom. Fishcreek Nazarene Church is blessed with many gifted members and welcomes all who would seek to contribute their own unique abilities to help build our church’s life together.

TREASURE – The Scriptures tell us that all we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch are all created by God and for God. As Stewards of creation we are to guard every element of the earth in which we live. That includes our possessions. The Bible speaks more about our possessions and how we treat them than almost any other concern. To the outside world when we hear “Money Talks” we think of influence and power; in the life of Christ’s church when we hear “Money Talks” we understand that how we allocate our money reveals what we feel is most important in our life. One pastor said to completely understand our life’s priorities, we need only to examine our checkbook register and observe how much we spend and on what. The simple truth remains that it costs much to finance any organization, religious or not. Utility bills, repair bills, construction costs, materials expense, office products, mortgages, salaries (the lists goes on) are the same in the church as in any other endeavor. What’s also true is that the church depends upon those who participate in its life of ministry and community service to provide for those costs. We have no other resources upon which to draw. The biblical principle of the tithe (ten percent of one’s income) should always suffice to care for these needs. Without continuing on, let’s just acknowledge that there are many biblical passages that support the tithing principle and churches whose constituents hold that principle firmly will always find enough resources to accomplish what God has called them to do. There are times when extra income is needed to meet emergencies when they arise, but God is faithful as His people are faithful.

Some helpful references:

• Proverbs 11:24-25 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
• 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
• Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

How to give to Fishcreek Nazarene

Copyright © 2011 Fishcreek Nazarene Worship Center
Last modified: 12/07/11