Zwingli United Church of Christ stewardship

Stewardship

Description of Stewardship

Mention the word stewardship to the average person, and the first thing that comes to mind is money. Somehow, most Christians equate stewardship with money or at least with giving to the Lord's work. Money is part of what we might call "total stewardship" and is a vital element of stewardship. Total stewardship consists of the three T's – time, talent, and treasure. These three components have been likened to a three-legged stool. Money is one of the legs of the stool. And without that leg, the stool cannot stand. But the other two legs are equally important and are represented by time and talents. Remove any one of the three legs and stewardship in an individual life, in a family and in a church like Zwingli is severely weakened and undermined.

The basic principle that refers to time, talents and treasure can be found many places in the Bible. The scripture indicates that God owns it all! According to Psalm 24:1, the earth...and everything in it...is the Lord's. That includes us – our time, our talents, and our treasure.

For years, the stewardship focus at Zwingli was on the budget and how much was needed to make sure the bills are paid, as well as our pastors and staff. But our approach was not quite right as we continued to struggle each year. The Ministry of Stewards made a decision to change the focus to Biblical stewardship, which is to help God's people grow in their relationship with Jesus through the use of the time, talent, and treasure God has entrusted to them.

Based on the teachings and lessons to be learned from the Bible, all that we have has been provided to us by God. We have been blessed in so many ways. When we focus on Biblical stewardship, we are thanking God for our blessings and giving back to him to show how much we appreciate all he has done for us. Annually, the Stewards conduct an appeal for the congregation and request that they take an inventory of their blessings and decide what can be given back to God to express thanks to him for all that he has provided. The focus should not be on how much one can spare, but on how much should be given to God as a thank you for our blessings. This should not be a snap decision, but should be made after careful thought, prayer and a commitment between you and God. Churches that follow Biblical stewardship have a closer relationship with Jesus, and when they are closer to Jesus, they want to give back to Jesus. These churches are not focused on deficits but are working hard to do God's work with the abundance they have received. Generosity is the natural consequence of abundance.

A steward is one who is responsible to transact the business of another. A steward is not an owner, but a representative of the owner. A steward is one who manages that which belongs to someone else. Instead of being owners, we are managers. There is a vast difference between being an owner and a manager. Owners have rights: managers have responsibilities. Owners determine how their resources will be used; managers carry out the directives and wishes of the owner. The Ministry of Stewards manage the budget at Zwingli and help the owners which is the congregation to assure prudent financial stability for our church. You too are a steward, and a steward of our church.

In the final analysis, God owns it all. God is the ultimate owner of everything who retains all of the rights of ownership. Our role is to manage what God has entrusted to us, namely, our time, our talents and our treasure.

II Corinthians 9:6-15 summarizes it nicely:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

E-donations!

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)) is available and can be submitted weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. An EFT form can be completed and submitted to the church office. To access the form, click this EFT form link.

There are Electronic Offering Cards available next to the bulletins as you enter the sanctuary for worship. If you give electronically, pick one up to serve as a symbolic offering — place it in the offering plate instead of an envelope.

Donate Online to Zwingli

Online donations can be submitted to Zwingli via PayPal.

Recurring donations should be submitted through the electronic funds transfer option described above.

The true meaning of life
is to plant trees,
under whose shade
you do not expect to sit.

– Nelson Henderson

Legacy Giving

Assuring that future needs will be met

The stewards encourage members and friends of Zwingli United Church of Christ to consider giving in ways that can touch the future, such as:

• Current or Outright Gifts by means of cash, transfer of appreciated securities, or real estate.
• Gift Annuities
• Pooled Income Fund
• Charitable Remainder Trusts
• Life insurance
• IRA assets
• Bequest by Will

We invite you to view this planned-giving brochure from the United Church of Christ for further information, and to contact one of the stewards.