Stewardship with Father David Schalk

December 25, 2017

Author: Father David Schalk – Christ the King Catholic Church

Stewardship is the Christian way of life. It begins with recognizing that everything we have is a gift. Everything. Saint Paul asked his audience in Corinth, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). The correct answer: Nothing. Even as we work, produce, and earn, we never forget that our life, our natural abilities, our education came from a source outside of ourselves. Once we accept this reality, then the only appropriate response is generosity – We have received a great deal; thus, we must extend to others a great deal. This is the heart of stewardship. All we have received is to be used not for ourselves, but rather for the wellbeing of those around us. As far as Christians are concerned, we accept gratefully and cultivate diligently our gifts, so that they can be employed for the common good. That is why we believe the fruit of good stewardship is a healthy community, which Christians piously call “the Kingdom of God.”