Principles of Catholic Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  (Peter 4:10)

The word "stewardship" refers to the Catholic approach to the gifts that God has bestowed upon us.  Stewardship is living out a commitment to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered.  Profound gratitude, justice and love become the fundamental motives for giving back to God. Everything that God has given to us is intended to serve the divine plan.  Therefore, our life is to be lived in gratitude toward God.  In a variety of ways, we as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, share our time, talent and treasure to build up the Church and make our world a better place.

The Church needs you and God has chosen you to go out into all the world.  Every Christian is to take an active part in the life of the Church and to share the gifts of salvation.  Three convictions in particular underlie our understanding of stewardship.

1. Mature disciples make a conscious, firm decision, carried out in action, to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter the cost to themselves.

2. Beginning in conversion, change of mind and heart, this commitment is expressed not in a single action, nor even in a number of actions over a period of time, but in an entire way of life.  It means committing one's very self to the Lord.

3. 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" (Psalm 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.