Calvary Lutheran Church

Pastor for Calvary Lutheran, Waupaca
&
 St. Paul's Lutheran, Wild Rose

Shepherd Notes December 2021


  6 Habits of a Highly Effective Steward

I will be relying a series on the 7 habits of the Highly Effective Steward in my shepherds Notes in the following months, please read and contemplate. So much has been written about the habits it takes to be a highly effective person, or a highly effective family or a highly effective teen. Please reflect on the habits of a highly effective steward. Since stewardship is a part of discipleship, and discipleship is a journey for each of us, we hope that these habits will help us reflect on this area of our Christian life. The 6 habits are 1. Be Thankful 2. Trust God to provide 3. Be Content 4. Live Within Your Means 5. Give Time and Talent 6. Give Treasures.

Habit 5: Give Time and Talent
    What can we do with the life that God has given us? Since everything we have really belongs to God, we are simply using for God what God has entrusted to us. This includes our intellect, beauty, skills, energy, time and imagination. Each one of us is uniquely gifted. God has a purpose and plan for each of us that no one else can fulfill. We possess our own unique temperaments, passions, skills and experiences to be used for God’s purpose.
    “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)
    As Christian stewards—managers of the gifts God has given us—we are called to reflect God’s love in our community. We are called to love as Jesus loved, to serve as Jesus served. This means we have a responsibility to reflect God’s love in our homes and offices, city streets and neighborhoods — in everything we say and do. In a world weakened by a lack of love, we are called to offer loving service to others.
   One of the greatest gifts we can give is the gift of self. Any day is a good day to offer the gift of self to build up the Kingdom of God in our families, communities and church.
What will be the fruit of a truly Christian stewardship of time and talent? First, we will multiply ourselves in His service. Second, we will advance the work of the kingdom. Third, we will bring glory to God, and this is the reason we are here.
Your Servant and fellow Steward in Christ    Pastor Brian