STEWARDSHIP AND YOUTH MINISTRY
STEWARDSHIP
The term “stewardship” (in Greek oikonomia)isthe one who feeds and maintains others on the manor. The steward describes a person who is responsible to the master of the estate for managing essential resources, property, income, and resources. In the simplest sense, stewardship is a person freely giving of their gifts of time, resources, money, and talent to the Church. From a contemporary perspective, stewardship is embedded on four religious beliefs: (1) administrative skills relating to money management, finances, income, and property; (2) responsibility for all others in the world, founded on Jesus’ commandment of love; (3) forming a critical judgment to instill Gospel values into modern society; and (4) assuming the courage to be prophetic by speaking for justice and against injustice (Coleman, p. 921).1 On a much deeper level, the fundamental Catholic principle of stewardship is rooted in the universal call to holiness and Christian discipleship. The USCCB (2002) document, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, A Pastoral Letter on Stewardship states, “The Christian vocation is essentially a call to be a disciple of Jesus, and stewardship is part of that [call]” (p. 13). Catholics are called to be good stewards of the vocations we received from God. The U.S. Catholic Bishops maintain, “Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ leads naturally to the practice of stewardship. These linked realities; discipleship and stewardship, then make up the fabric of a Christian life in which each day is lived in an intimate, personal relationship with the Lord” (Ibid, p. 14). Stewardship affords Catholics the opportunity to cultivate a spirituality that concentrates on working collaboratively in creation and redemption of the world by merely offering help to the helpless, hope to the hopeless, and love to the lost.
TIME, TALENT, TREASURE, TRADITION
The Catholic stewardship slogan recited in parishes and throughout dioceses for the past twenty years has been “time, talent, and treasure.” However, in the USCCB (2007) pamphlet, Stewardship and Teenagers: the Challenge of Being a Disciple, the term tradition is added reminding young Catholics that stewardship is part of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The U.S. bishops encourage young people to “share your time, share your talent, share your treasure, and share your tradition” by being an active and practicing Christian disciple living in the world (p. 3).
C.H.R.I.S.T. AND STEWARDSHIP 2
The acronym C.H.R.I.S.T. stands for the six components and virtues of stewardship: charity, humility, respect, investment, sacrifice, and thankfulness. Each of these Christian virtues undergirds the Christian reality of stewardship, especially at the intersection where money and faith meet. It is noteworthy to briefly discuss each component in their Christian setting of stewardship and in relation to finances and faith.
Charity: The virtue of charity is a selfless act by those who have the means to enable, enrich, and empower others in the service of God, community, and neighbor. The practice of charity leads to a life of grace. Charity is also important in handling money. Christians are called to be good stewards of their finances and to be responsible for others quality of life as well because “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Humility: The virtue of humility is rooted in the reality of truth and a deep awareness of our limitations and shortcomings. Humility is closely connected to apage (love) and is lowliness becoming selflessness. Observing humility in matters of money will curb greed and materialism and help to live moderately. Tempering humility and our own self-worth can be a delicate act, but a necessary one: “for everyone who exalts themselves will eventually be humbled” (Luke 18:14).
Respect: The virtue of respect is the foundation of any healthy relationship and it should be freely given and freely received. Respect also involves responsibility and both are necessary in handling money. Respect is an important for developing financial responsibility and integrity because it forces Christians to view money as a tool for stewardship not a measuring-stick of self worth. “Give respect to all, love the community, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).
Investment: The virtue of investment is often overlooked by Christians; however, there are many ways to invest one’s self into something worthwhile: school, sports, family, relationships, God, and money. Investment in terms of stewardship is important because it allows Christians to develop practices that can become habitual and long term. “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones” (Luke 16:10).
Sacrifice: The virtue of sacrifice is closely connected to spirituality and stewardship because sacrifice is part of living the Christian live. Unfortunately, knowing when and how to sacrifice is something that few people understand. In terms of finances and money, sacrifice requires that the amassing of material goods and wealth or the accumulation of financial debt should not get in the way of Christian ideals. “Live in love. . . and as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).
Thanksgiving: The virtue of thanksgiving is paramount in the Catholic tradition because it is strongly associated with gratitude (gratus—“thankful”) and Eucharist (eucharistia—“thanksgiving”) as responses and signs of the God’s wonderful gifts. Stewardship is born out of thanksgiving and love for Jesus the Christ the par excellence gift of God! If Christians are not thankful for the gifts they have then it may be quite difficult to share with others their time, talent, and treasure. “Do not cease to give thanks. . . to God” (Ephesians 1:16).
These six components of stewardship are essential to learning about faith-based money management, sacrificial giving, and living as a Christian disciple in a complex world.
1 Gerald Coleman, S.S., “Stewardship.” Pp. 920-924, in Judith A. Dwyer edits, The New Dictionary of Catholic Social Though, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1994.
2 iPayDebt Financial Services, Inc. in cooperation with Cornerstone Financial Education, Keeping the Cup Full: Financial Stewardship for Teens and Young Adults, Austin, TX: Cornerstone Financial Education, 2007, pp. 17-25. For more information see www.ipaydebt.com.