“Once One Chooses to Become a Disciple of Jesus Christ, Stewardship is Not an Option."

Stewardship: A Disciple's Response

The link above provides: 

• Three convictions in particular underline what we say in this pastoral letter.
• The Plan of the Pastoral Letter: The pastoral letter proceeds according to the following plan
  – Living as a Steward 
  – Stewards of the Church

“Do we wish to be disciples of Jesus Christ?  The Spirit is ready to show us the way---a way of which stewardship is a part.”  This is a question posed by the US Bishops in Stewardship: a Disciples Response; A Pastoral Letter on Stewardship.

In this document, the bishops assist us in responding to this question by directing our attention to some key concepts and by pointing to our perfect role model, the Blessed Mother Mary.   “Who is a Christian disciple?  One who responds to Christ’s call, follows Jesus, and shapes his or her life in imitation of Christ’s.  Who is a Steward?  One, who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord. One of the major convictions identified by the Bishops in Stewardship: a Disciple’s Response is as follows:

“Stewardship is an expression of discipleship with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives. Disciples who practice stewardship recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they have and are and will be. They are deeply aware of the truth that “The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it” (Ps 24:1). They know themselves to be recipients and caretakers of God’s many gifts. They are grateful for what they have received and eager to cultivate their gifts out of love for God and one another.”