Stewardship and discipleship go hand in hand throughout our faith journey. Peter helps set a guide for us in 1 Peter 4:10: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Understanding your role within the body of Christ can help you better leverage your use of time, resources and talents to advance God’s Kingdom. We can break this stewardship journey into three steps that take you from a place of discovery to action.
1. Discover your gifts, talents and abilities
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:6 that, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” So what are your gifts, talents and abilities in the body of Christ? Try completing a self-assessment by asking yourself these questions:
- Where do I excel in the workplace or at home?
- What activities bring me joy?
- How have I positively influenced others?
2. Find people who align with your mission and values
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” It’s clear that we need others in our stewardship journey. Challenge yourself by finding people and/or organizations with a similar set of values and missions. Then look for opportunities to serve, financially or physically.
3. Go and make disciples
With the building blocks of stewardship in place, you are ready to share your gifts, talents and abilities with your community and the world. Shifting your thinking from, “How I can use my gifts, talents and abilities for my benefit?” to, “How can I use my gifts, talents and abilities to benefit others?” is when you’ve transitioned from discovery to action. This is when you’re leading yourself toward the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 to go and make disciples of all nations.