Question to consider: What do you have more of, time or money?
When I was a teenager I was pretty sure that conversations about stewardship in church did not apply to me. My definition of stewardship at the time was absolutely limited to monetary offering and I had no steady income, so that meant I could not participate in turning in a “pledge.” I conceded that stewardship was something reserved for adults, so I’d get around to it when I grew up.
I was happy to not have to think about it until my youth minister later properly defined stewardship through this story:
21:1 Looking up, Jesus saw rich people throwing their gifts into the collection box for the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow throw in two small copper coins worth a penny. 3 He said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than them all. 4 All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had to live on.”
(Luke 21:1-4, CEB)
My youth minister acknowledged our feelings of monetary inadequacy but went on to suggest that we “be the coin.” With church lingo, “stewardship” is tied to “money” a lot of the time, but stewardship can and should be so much more than that! Stewardship is about generosity, being generous with your resources whether it’s money or time, sometimes it’s both and...! You can give your coins and/or you can be the coin! Each are faithful ways of approaching stewardship.
When I think about stewardship now as a young adult I can’t help but think of that insightful sermon from my youth group days. My husband and I are in the midst of discerning what stewardship through tithing looks like for us, but I continue to find great joy in discovering new ways of practicing stewardship with my time - being the coin.
How might you be the coin today?
Prayer:
Good and loving God, remind me that you don’t ask anything of me that you haven’t already modeled yourself. When I wonder what it looks like to be generous with my time, point me to the gospels - to the one who selflessly gave of himself over and over again. Thank you for the love and grace you so generously pour over each of your beloved. May my capacity for generosity increase as I seek to know you more. Amen.
Written By: Jenny Spidell