Jesus gives up his life for our salva- tion and reconciliation. The Spirit gives us faith, talents and abilities; transforms us; and calls us into the body of Christ. God gives graciously, abundantly and generously. Created in the image of God we are created to be generous givers. Just as in breathing we must both
inhale and exhale, we are called to a pattern of receiving and giving and receiving. It’s who we are created to be. When we feel good about having been generous with our time, talents or money, part of that feeling comes from living out as we were created to be.
In addition to having generosity
in our DNA, God has also made us to be creative. God has given us an additional blessing, an invitation to be co-creators with God of a world order that makes “thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” It is an invitation to work with God and God’s team with purpose, pas- sion and creativity, to have a life of meaning and significance. The wisdom of God tells us
that this is what true life is all about, being part of something bigger than ourselves, making a difference, having a positive impact. Being part of something
bigger than ourselves reso- nates with a second key iden- tity—our corporate identity as the body of Christ, which comes to us as God’s gra- cious gift at our baptisms. As we grow in faith and understanding we see that we are invited to participate in Christ’s own mission of stewardship. Jesus is the perfect stew-
ard of all of God’s good gifts through his life, ministry,
August 2014 15
death and resurrection. He healed those in need, welcomed and brought hospitality to the outcast and unloved, and proclaimed God’s rule of justice, love and peace. On the cross he conquered sin, death and evil and brought forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. We are invited into Christ’s con-
tinuing mission of healing and doing the kingdom work of justice and peace. Some of this can be done through the generous gifts of our time and talents. In other places, as generous financial givers, the church reaches out in places we cannot go. Paul also tells us we are stewards
of the mysteries of God’s grace (1 Corinthians 4:1). As we proclaim and embody God’s abundant grace, we experience the life-changing, transforming power of God’s grace in peoples’ lives. We see people discover freedom, hope and joy in experienc- ing God’s grace. There are many non- profit institutions that help address p e o p l e ’ s needs. But onl y the ch u r ch proclaims G o d ’ s
gracious love and the gospel of Jesus Christ that the world desperately needs to hear.
What gets in way If the call to discipleship is such an obvious part of our faith, and if stew- ards are disciples that act out love through generosity, what gets in the way of us loving and giving more? The life of a disciple and steward is
not a low-energy lifestyle that fits in nicely with concepts of leisure, tran- quility and the “good life” as defined by modern marketing. We live in a world where the economic system is driven by the incessant market- ing of brands using narratives that emphasize taking care of yourself. These messages resonate with our survival instincts and the reality that our energy and willpower is a limited resource. As much as we have been cre-
ated in God’s divine image, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Paul talks about this same thing in Romans 7, when he says he cannot do the good he wants to do, but is instead stuck doing just the oppo- site. This is the everyday challenge of being a steward and disciple.
SHUTTERSTOCK
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