Stewardship: Understanding Our Role as Caretakers of God’s Gifts
Stewardship is a fundamental building block of our Christian faith. Over the past 4 weeks we considered worship, the Trinity, and theological concepts like grace, sin, and salvation. Stewardship deserves equal attention as it shapes how we live out our faith daily.
Why focus on building blocks of faith? Because the world eagerly tells us what to believe and value, which often contradicts God’s values. By establishing these parameters around our faith, we create a common bond among believers from various traditions.
What Makes Stewardship a Building Block of Faith?
There are two primary reasons stewardship is essential to our faith:
- It demonstrates our belief that everything comes from the Lord and belongs to Him. Without this understanding, stewardship wouldn’t make sense. This directly contradicts the world’s message that we’ve earned everything through our own efforts.
- It requires an act of faith to return to God a portion of the blessings He has entrusted to our care.
As Christians, we are merely caretakers—stewards—of what God has entrusted to us. At its core, stewardship requires trust. This perspective transforms how we manage all aspects of our lives.
What Are We Called to Be Stewards Of?
We often use the formula of “time, talent, and treasure” to describe what we’re called to manage faithfully. These three T’s encompass the resources God has given us.
In the United Methodist tradition, members profess to support the church through: Prayers, Presence, Gifts and Service
Understanding the Parable of the Talents
The parable from Matthew 25 is unashamedly about money, but it teaches us about all aspects of stewardship. In the original text, the master gives his servants “talents” – not just small sums, but enormous amounts of wealth.
A single talent represented about 20 years of wages. If we consider an average annual salary of $25,000, one talent would equal approximately $500,000. This means the servant who received one talent was entrusted with half a million dollars, the one with two talents received a million, and the one with five talents received $2.5 million!
This puts the story in perspective. The servant who buried his talent wasn’t just hiding a small sum—he was keeping half a million dollars unproductive!
Interestingly, our modern English word “talent” (meaning natural gifts and abilities) derives from this parable. This suggests the story was always meant to be about more than just money—it’s about all the gifts God entrusts to us.
What Does Biblical Financial Giving Look Like?
While financial giving is just one aspect of stewardship, it’s one we need to address clearly. Unlike worldly organizations, our giving should never be motivated by “meeting the budget.” Instead, we should ask: “What is God calling me to return? How am I being a steward of what God has entrusted to my care?”
What Does the Bible Say About Tithing?
In Malachi 3, the prophet challenges people who are “robbing God” by withholding their tithes. The encouragement is to “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse” and see the blessings God will pour out.
Some might argue this is Old Testament teaching, but Jesus himself affirmed tithing in Matthew 23:23. While criticizing religious leaders for neglecting “justice, mercy and faithfulness,” he added they should practice these “without neglecting” tithing.
Jesus also highlighted the widow who gave two small coins in Luke 21, saying she gave more than wealthy donors because “she gave everything she had.”
Is Money Talk Appropriate in Church?
We don’t often discuss money in church, and for good reason—it’s a private matter. However, it’s not meant to be a secret matter. While most people are comfortable discussing the use of gifts and abilities, conversations about money can make us uncomfortable.
It’s important to understand that when we talk about financial giving as part of stewardship, the church budget should not be the motivating force. We’re not asking “How much must each person give to meet the budget?” Instead, we’re asking “What are we called to give back to God through the church?”
A Personal Perspective on Tithing
Tithing means giving 10% of what we have to God through the church. This should be calculated from our gross income—before taxes and bills. Charitable giving beyond the church is something we do in addition to tithing.
For those not accustomed to tithing, it’s helpful to start thinking in terms of percentages rather than flat dollar amounts. Even if you can’t start at 10%, begin with 2% or 3%. This approach allows your giving to adjust proportionally if your income changes.
Studies show that if everyone who worships contributed just 3% of their income, churches would have abundant resources for ministry.
The “Give Me Five” Approach to Stewardship
Giving should be joyful! Scripture says “God loves a cheerful giver.” The “Give Me Five” stewardship approach suggests five ways we can give back to God:
- Worship attendance
- Commitment to growing spiritually
- Financial giving
- Involvement in a ministry within the church
- Participation in a mission in the community
Each of these areas represents an opportunity to be good stewards of what God has given us. And our stewardship should be characterized by joy—the same joy we feel when we celebrate accomplishments with a high-five.
Life Application
This week, consider your approach to stewardship in all five areas mentioned above. Start by honestly assessing where you are in each category:
- How faithful is your worship attendance?
- What are you doing to grow spiritually?
- Are you giving financially in a way that acknowledges God’s ownership?
- How are you serving within your church community?
- What mission work are you supporting in the broader community?
If financial giving is an area where you need growth, consider adopting the percentage approach. Rather than focusing on a specific dollar amount, commit to giving a percentage of your income. If 10% seems overwhelming, start with a smaller percentage and work toward increasing it over time.
Remember that true stewardship flows from gratitude. We give back to God because we recognize that everything we have comes from Him in the first place. This week, take time to thank God for specific blessings in your life, and ask Him to show you how to be a more faithful steward of all He has entrusted to you.
Sermon video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE8JMxXrx8M
[Blog post created by Sermon Shots from original sermon content preached by Rev. Kent F. Jackson on October 5, 2025.]
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