Whenever we hear the word “Stewardship” most of us immediately think about money and giving. The noun “steward” is more expansive and describes a person who acts as an agent or someone who looks after the property and financial affairs of another. In today’s terminology, a steward is like a manager—assigned to faithfully handle assets that belong to someone else. In our relationship with God, being a steward is a way of life that places The Lord firmly at the center.
Stewardship encompasses all areas of life. God cares about every facet of our existence; our relationships, health, the way we use our time, wealth and planet. Stewardship isn’t so much about ‘giving’ money (although important), as it is about the transformation we experience when Jesus is first in our lives. Stewardship, in fact, is a gift and position of responsibility to God, each other and the planet. Above all, let’s remember that Stewardship is a great honor and “…not about what God wants from you but rather, what He wants for you…” We are all encouraged to be committed stewards in at least four crucial areas of life:
Our Time, Ecclesiastes 3:1; Ephesians 5:15-16
Our Health, 3 John 1:2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Our Relationships Ephesians 6:1-3; Hebrews 10:24-25
Our Finances Romans 13:8; Proverbs 21:20 Proverbs 27:3
Find more information at nadstewardship.org/resources
The Offertory Reading begins here in English and Spanish
Scroll down for the Sabbath Offering graphics.
This week’s offering is for:
Texas Vision
As we sang our closing song for worship that night, I knew this week would be a special one I would remember forever. I was in high school, and I signed up to work at FLAG Camp, which stands for Fun Learning About God. It is a day-camp based at Andrews University in Michigan, and before the summer even began, we as staff went to a staff training week where we bonded and learned how to best serve the children who would come to our camp that summer.
Camp, for that summer and several after, served as a key turning point in my relationship with God. Though I was still figuring out my own faith, I saw God use me and my team members in such mighty ways! Children, even our youngest campers, were turning their hearts towards God and giving their lives to Christ.
I still think fondly of my days as a camp counselor, and I credit the confidence I built during that period in my life as the reason why today, as an adult, I am able to freely share the hope I have in the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Today’s offering is for our local conference advance known as Texas Vision. The Texas Vision offering benefits three areas within the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: worthy student funding for our academies (25%), Lake Whitney Ranch development (50%) and church or school building appropriations (25%).
Please know that when you give, your seed of a gift will ripple beyond that amount and touch people forever.
By Heather Thompson Day
Visión de Texas
Mientras entonábamos el himno de cierre del culto de esa noche, supe que recordaría aquella semana de forma especial y para siempre. Yo estaba en la escuela secundaria y me inscribí para trabajar en el campamento Fun Learning About God, (Aprendiendo sobre Dios en forma entretenida). Se trataba de un campamento diurno en la Universidad Andrews (de Michigan), y antes de que comenzara el verano, los que participaríamos en diversas tareas asistimos a una semana de formación. Durante la semana nos reunimos y aprendimos a trabajar con niños, para dar la mejor experiencia a los que asistirían ese verano.
El campamento sirvió como un punto de cambio en mi relación con Dios. Aunque todavía estaba forjando mi propia fe, ¡vi cómo Dios nos usaba a mí y a los miembros de mi equipo de maneras tan poderosas! Los niños, incluso los más pequeños, volcaban sus corazones hacia Dios y entregaban sus vidas a Cristo.
Todavía recuerdo con cariño mis días como monitora de campamento, y atribuyo a la confianza que adquirí durante ese período de mi vida la razón por la que hoy, como adulta, soy capaz de compartir. Me resulta fácil hablar libremente de la esperanza que tengo en el Evangelio de Jesucristo.
La ofrenda de hoy es para nuestra Conferencia de Texas conocida como Vision de Texas. La ofrenda Visión de Texas beneficia en tres áreas a los Adventistas de la Conferencia de Texas: financiamiento estudiantil para nuestras academias (25%), Desarrollo del Rancho de Lake Whitney (50%) y compra de edificios para Iglesias o escuelas (25%).
Cuando usted da una colaboración, esa semilla puede multiplicarse más allá de esa cantidad y marcar a las personas para siempre.
Heather Thompson Day
