The Bible is a book about giving – with more promises related to giving than to any other subject! For example, the subject of “believing” appears 272 times, “prayer” 371 times, and “love” 714 times; while “giving” is mentioned 2,162 times! Jesus talked more about giving than anything else; more than half of the parables have to do with money and worldly goods. Educate church members on the meaning of stewardship with bulletin inserts, sermons, homilies, and reflections based on the following.

Scripture Passages

• One of your most effective (and challenging!) ways to grow giving at your parish is to teach the real meaning of stewardship. We often use “stewardship” as a synonym for donations, fundraising, tithing, etc. but stewardship is really about returning to God what was a gift to us in the first place. Help to interpret God’s word and invitation to live as a steward with the following passages: 
• We are God’s co-workers…God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. — 1 Corinthians 3: 9-11
• Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house. — 1 Peter 2: 5
• Without me you can do nothing…. I appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last. — John 15: 5, 16
• You did not choose me, I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. Whatsoever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. — John 15: 16
• …a time to heal, a time to rend and a time to build up. — Ecclesiastes 3: 3
• Take heed now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it. — 1 Chronicles 22: 18
• To whom much is given, much is expected. — Luke 12: 48
• Whatsoever a man sews, so shall he reap — Galatians 6: 7
• The kingdom of heaven is near…Freely you have received, now freely give. — Matthew 10: 7
• …forgive and you will be forgiven, give and it will be given to you. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you. — Luke 6: 37
• People do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl, they put it on a stand to light the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5: 15
• I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. — Acts 20: 32
• Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. — Psalm 127: 1
• Remain in me, for without me you can do nothing…. I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last. — John 15: 5, 16
• I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last. —John 15: 16
• God gave [gifts]…to equip the holy ones for building up the body of Christ, until we attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the soul of God, to the full stature of Christ. —Ephesians 4: 11-13

Still More Scripture Passages on Stewardship!

• Matthew 25: 44-45
• Genesis 28: 20-22
• Psalms 7: 17; 57: 9-10
• II Corinthians 9: 7
• Proverbs 25: 2
• Isaiah 58: 7-10
• Matthew 15: 32-37
• Matthew 26: 26
• Luke 14: 15
• John 6: 30–35
• Hebrews 7: 4-7
• Numbers 18: 25-29
• Deuteronomy 12: 4-7

Scripture Interpreted

One of my favorites is 1 Chronicles 29:1-22. The most encouraging aspect of this story is that all the people willingly offered from their hearts to the Lord.

1. The leader set the example in giving. (Verses 1-5)
2. The “leaders…officers…and commanders” gave sacrificially. (Verses 6-8)
3. The people rejoiced in the example established by the leaders, which then prompted their gifts. (Verse 9)
4. They had a time of prayer and praise. (Verses 10-12)
5. David publicly gave thanks to God for extending “the grace of giving” to the congregation. (Verses 14-18)
6. They celebrated the offering. (Verses 20-22)

Our church capital campaign model follows a similar process. We invite leadership donors to set the pace and focus a great deal on gratitude and giving thanks. 

Parables

From David J. Wolpe’s Teaching Your Children About God

1. A boy and his father were walking along the road when they came to a large stone. The boy said to his father, “Do you think if I use all my strength, I can move this rock?” His father answered, “If you use all your strength, I am sure you can do it.” The boy began to push the rock. Exerting himself as much as he could, he pushed and pushed. The rock did not move. Discouraged, he said to his father, “You were wrong. I can’t do it.” His father placed his arm around the boy’s shoulder and said, “No, son. You didn’t use all your strength — you didn’t ask me to help.” 
2. A man stood before God, his heart breaking from the pain and injustice in the world. “Dear God,” he cried out, “look at all the suffering, the anguish and distress in your world. Why don’t you send help?” God responded, “I did send help. I sent you.” 

Prayer of Gratitude & Stewardship

Gracious God, in these times of anguish and distress, we thank you for the great power of your compassionate love. We thank you as well for entrusting us with a share in the work of your Spirit to bind us together as a community of faith, to build us into Christ’s body, a parish family, a caring people. Empower us to be good stewards of our time, talent and treasure so we may build the City of God, the only secure dwelling in our world. Amen.

Social Media Posts to Teach Stewardship Through Scripture