Just What is Stewardship?

Stewardship is a word that engenders a multitude of images in the minds of those who hear the word itself. Some hear stewardship and think of the need to take good care of what has been given to them – both material goods and the natural environment. Others hear this term and think of providing alms to those unfortunates among us who lack proper clothing, housing and food. Many indeed will hear talk of stewardship and immediately think that someone wants them to give them money!

Actually, each of these images is correct. However, they do not by themselves, or even when lumped together, provide a completely full description of what stewardship means to the Christian. These are but still frames of the moving picture of authentic Christian charity.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “ To the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount it is fitting to add the moral catechesis of the apostolic teachings such as Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 3:4, Ephesians 4:5, etc. This doctrine hands on the Lord’s teaching with the authority of the apostles, particularly in the presentation of the virtues that flow forth from faith in Christ and are animated by CHARITY, the principal gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Catechism 1971)

Stewardship then is the logical extension of that charity the Holy Spirit commands us to practice. Stewardship in its fullest sense encapsulates charity into an action plan for our lives; it establishes a framework from which that charity can operate. That structure acknowledges that God is the source for everything we have in our earthly existence and that we are called to not only be thankful for our blessings, but we need to both share them and be accountable for how we use them ourselves and how we give them to others. As Saint Paul instructs us, ‘Let charity be genuine… love one another with brotherly affection… Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer, contributor to the needs of the saints and practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-13)

Sacred Scripture provides much guidance about charity and stewardship. These myriad verses are best summarized in the venerable triple dimensions of Christian stewardship: time, talent and treasure. The application of these dimensions can be further culled into these two principles:

1 Give in proportion to the blessings we have received.
2. Give from our substance, not our excess.

Stewardship is not a destination, but rather a journey. It is an integral component of faith, not an adjunct or something we can choose to participate in or not, like some hobby or pastime. Stewardship begins in our hearts, is infused by what our minds teach us about our faith and extends with our hands as we reach out to others in our families, parishes and communities.