TOPIC 1

THE BIBLICAL BASIS OF STEWARDSHIP

Catechetical Foundation

(CFC 341) "We are called to exercise responsible STEWARDSHIP over all creation. Such a
stewardship is exercised in our daily activities which we can rightfully consider as a prolonga of
God's continuing work of creating, and a service to our fellowmen and women. One sign of
"Living Faith" is that we realize God's graceful, supporting presence in all our good thoughts,
words and deeds. Far from being "in competition with God," we recognize in the depths of our
hearts and minds, the truth of Christ's simple assertion: apart from me you can do nothing. (Jn
15:5)

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
 Discuss and to know the biblical basis and general view of stewardship; and
 Define and to appreciate the meaning and nature of stewardship in the light of present
day circumstances.

Contents

1. Stewardship in Old Testament

- "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)

- "To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything
in it." (Deuteronomy 10:14)

- "The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and
my tenants." (Leviticus 25:23)
- "Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me." (Job
41:11)

- Stewardship is further supported and sustained theologically on the understanding of God's

holiness as found in such vers as: Genesis 1:2, Psalm 104, Psalm 113, 1 Chronicles 29:10-2
Colossians 1:16, and Revelation 1:8.

- An example of stewardship is in Genesis 2:15. The drive to "serve the garden in which we have
been placed" (also Genes 2:15) sees Christian influence in political and practical affairs,

- The concept is also seen in Leviticus 25.1-5. The implication is that the land is not to be
exhausted or abused for short-term gains.

- Stewardship in Christianity follows from the belief that human beings are created by the same
God who creat the entire universe and everything in it. To look after the Earth, and thus God's
dominion, is the responsibility of the Christian steward,

- A useful quote explaining stewardship can be found in Psalm 24:1.

- A broader concept of stewardship is illustrated in Jesus' parable of the "talents", which refer to
an amount of money but by implication (and by common use of the word in English as
"abilities").

2. Stewardship in the New Testament

Matthew 25:14-30 - The parable basically teaches that people are accountable and responsible to
God for the way they use the resources they are given. They are expected to "steward" or
"manage these for the One who owns and has given them for this purpose.

Additionally, frequent references to the "tithe", or giving of a "tenth" (the meaning of tithe) are
found throughout the Bible, The tithe represents the returning to God a significant, specific, and
intentional portion of material gain. However, giving is not limited to the tithe or a specific
amount, illustrated by Jesus' comment that a woman who gave a very small amount had given
more than those had given large amounts because while they gave out of their abundance, she
gave all she had to live on." (Mark 12.41-44; Luke 21.1-4)

Biblical Reflections
An example of stewardship is in Genesis 2:15. The drive to "serve the garden in which we have
been placed" (also Genesis 2:15) sees Christian influence in political and practical affairs.

The concept is also seen in Leviticus 25.1-5. The implication is that the land is not to be
exhausted or abused for short-term gains.

Stewardship in Christianity follows from the belief that human beings are created by the same
God who created the entire universe and everything in it. To look after the Earth, and thus God's
dominion, is the responsibility of the Christian steward. A useful quote explaining stewardship
can be found in Psalm 24:1.

A broader concept of stewardship is illustrated in Jesus' parable of the "talents", which refer to an
amount of amount of money but by implication (and by common use of the word in English as
"abilities").

TOPIC 2

PRESENT MEANING AND NATURE OF STEWARDSHIP

Principles of Catholic Stewardship of Time, Talents and Treasure (Application)

Scriptural Foundation

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

Objective: At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

 Comprehend the effects of the application of stewardship in our life.

Content:

Stewardship in Theology

1. Stewardship is a belief that humans are responsible for the world, and should take care of it. It
can have political implications, such as in Christian Democracy.

2. In Christian tradition stewardship also refers to the way time, talents, material possessions, or
wealth are used or given for the service of God.

3. A biblical world view of stewardship can be consciously defined as: "Utilizing and managing
all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation." The central
essence of biblical world view stewardship is managing everything God brings into the believers
life in a manner that

honors God and impacts eternity 4. Stewardship begins and ends with the understanding of God's
ownership of all:

5. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation
22:13)

6. "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)
7. "To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything
in it." (Deuteronomy 10:14

8. "The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and
my tenants." (Leviticus 25-23) 9. "Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything
under heaven belongs to me." (Job 41:11)

10. Stewardship is further supported and sustained theologically on the understanding of God's
holiness as found in such verse as: Genesis 1:2, Psalm 104, Psalm 113, 1 Chronicles 29:10-20,
Colossians 1:16, and Revelation 1:8.

Christian Views of Stewardship

1. Stewardship in a Christian context refers to the responsibility that Christians have in

maintaining and using wisely the gifts that God has bestowed. Increasingly this has referred to
environmental protectionism.

2. The word "stewardship" refers to the Catholic approach to the gifts that God has bestowed
upon us.

3. 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.

4. 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.

TOPIC 3
 SUMMARY: JESUS' SPIRITUAL STEWARDSHIP

Catechetical Foundation

"The good for all and each of the individual, because we are really responsible for all" (PCPII
295;). It means we are called to exercise responsible stewardship over all creation. Such a
stewardship is exercised in our daily lives and activities which we can rightfully consider as a
prolongation of God's continuing work of creating, and a service or diakonia to our fellow.

Objective:
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

- Imbibe Jesus Christ's Spiritual stewardship in their daily lives.

Contents

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 hcardia 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 whatek are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell
you do to 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.

God's generosity will never be outdone by our own.