Stewardship & Worship

A Lutheran Perspective

What’s Your favorite Stewardship Story?

Feeding the Five Thousand- Luke 9: 10-17

Parable of the Mustard Seed- Luke 13: 18-20

The Parables of the Ten Pounds & the Rich Ruler- Luke 19: 11-27 & Luke 18: 18-30)

The Parable of the Rich Fool- Luke 12: 13-21

(Others? Tithing texts, manna in the desert, the offering for the poor in Jerusalem, “where your treasure is . .

there will your heart be also,” etc.)

Thesis # 1:

The Catechism represents the theological “guts” for how stewardship works

(knowing the catechism teaches good stewardship)

Stewardship = response to the Word of God . . .

Word Sacraments

- Commandments - Baptism- Creed - Eucharist- Prayer - [Keys]

. . . shaped by God’s Word, our two sacraments, and the life of the

Christian community.

Thesis # 2: Lutheran liturgy represents the shape of our catechism – as a communal ritual.

The Word (law & promise)

Prayer for the Reign of God (Lord’s Prayer)

Affirming one’s identity within the life of the Triune God (Baptismal Creed)

Participating in the Community of God (Eucharist)

Thesis # 3:Worship, therefore, teaches the practices of stewardship

The Word (preached and shared . . .)leads to various faith responses or practices of stewardship

Prayer for the KingdomConfessionPraise & WorshipOfferingLiving in Christian Community

(OR)

How do I get my people up unto the altar – in Christ?

Thesis # 4: When we celebrate Communion, we teach Stewardship

In response to the preached word, God’s grace to us, we bring our gifts to the altar. God blesses these gifts and gives them to the community as his body and blood.

Communion teaches us how to exchange gifts with God and one another – keeping God’s grace in Christ central.

Genuine Transformation

Lutheran Worship, when done correctly, is all about focusing on God’s Word and structuring our responses to God’s Word through sacramental and communal practices.

Stewardship is an act of giving thanks (Eucharist). Worship, when done well, results in a life of thankful discipleship centered on Christ.

My favorite Communion Text about Stewardship

Read Luke 12: 35-48/ The Watchful Steward

“ Blessed are those slaves . . . And he (the Master) will come and serve them.”

“From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”

The Gifts of God for the World. Stewardship is finally about serving God in mission.