​“He said to them, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few…’”     Luke 10:2a
 
As Stewards we are all called to serve in ministry.  However, many of us are unsure how to use our talents and gifts to build God’s Church.  Talk to God and ask Him what He wants you to do.  The next time one of your fellow parishioners asks you to help or join a ministry it may be the answer to your prayer.

​For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather serve one another through love.”                                                                                                             GALATIANS 5:13
 
We like to celebrate the fact that we are free to “live the good life.” But Jesus calls us to Stewardship. St. Paul reminds us that Jesus sets us free so that we can serve one another, share our gifts and promote God’s work here on earth to glorify His name and not honor ourselves.

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
 
We are not very good at “denying ourselves” in our society. Our current economic situation is evidence of what happens when people think they can have everything they want. Jesus calls us to Stewardship where we set our own personal “wants” aside so that we have the resources to follow Him instead.

Prayer
That we as Christian Stewards learn to deny our own wants a little more so that we can more fully follow Our Lord’s example of giving and service to others.

 “When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet…”   LUKE 7:44A
 
Today’s Gospel calls us to consider how our Stewardship serves God. Do we consume like the Pharisee who simply reclines at the table and expects to be served? Or, do we contribute like the woman who kneels before Jesus and washes His feet? Every day we must make a choice.  Take or give?  Consume or contribute?  Recline or serve?

PRAYER
That we as Christian Stewards choose to serve rather than to be served, to give rather than to take, to contribute rather than to consume.

“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’” Luke 7:13
 
This verse is a great reminder that the Stewardship lifestyle is one of service, putting God first and to “love one another.” Unfortunately today, many people have “passion” for activities they enjoy - their job and off-work activities. Many times our “passion” to excel is at the expense of someone else. We need to focus on a little less passion for our individual concerns and a lot more compassion for others.

Prayer
That we answer the call to Stewardship, where we think of our ourselves less and show more compassion for others.