Today is the last week of our five-week stewardship renewal program, Sharing Our Blessings 2018. Set aside 10-20 minutes to read the scripture passages below, reflect on them, and pray with them. This Wednesday you will receive a final action item via Flocknote that encourages you take stock of how you give thanks and renew your commitment to keeping the Sabbath holy in gratitude.
Reflection 1: Read Matthew 25: 14-30. Reflect on the rewards given to the two faithful servants. What does it mean that they will share in their master’s happiness? With God playing the role of master in this parable, what does it mean to share in the happiness of God?
Reflection 2: Read Rev 21: 1-8: Reflect on the eternal rewards given to God’s faithful people at the end of time. What reward in particular stands out to you as meaningful? Do you feel like you have given more freely of your time, talent, or treasure to make that reward somehow manifest in the here and now?
This is the final action item for Sharing Our Blessings 2018. Once you have completed the Sunday reflection, considering the following:
In this Sunday’s reflections, you learned about the rewards of faithful stewardship, both in this life (sharing in God’s happiness now) and in the age to come (eternal happiness in God’s presence). In what ways do you express gratitude to God now for these great gifts?
Consider Sunday in particular, the day on which we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and obey the command to keep holy the Sabbath. How could you reinforce your gratitude to God on this day in a new way throughout the coming year? How can rest, prayer, family gatherings, or even engaging in a creative activity or hobby be a form of thanksgiving?
Now think about revisiting these questions of stewardship in 12 months’ time, when you are a ready. Make a commitment to re-examine your stewardship—your gifts of time, talent, and treasure to God and His people—12 months from today, and make changes as needed to continue your trajectory of a meaningful and sacrificial commitment to the local church. Create a reminder for yourself.