January 1, 2012 -- First Sunday After Christmas Day

O God, we are stirred this Christmastime to refocus our attention from the commercialism of Christmas to the miraculous birth of an infant who was born in a manger long ago. You have given us such a precious gift. Thank you, God. We offer you these gifts as our gratitude for all that you give to us. We pray in the name of that miraculous infant, the Baby Jesus. Amen.

January 6, 2012 -- Epiphany of the Lord

Great God, today we are reminded of the wondrous gifts of the Magi brought for the Prince of Peace. We have traveled to this time of worship, hoping to discover the thrill of new birth. And, indeed, we have smiles on our faces as we lift up our eyes, look around, and experience the presence of Jesus. We place these gifts, our gifts, upon your altar and rejoice in God's radiant love. Praise the Lord! Amen. (Isaiah 60:1-6.)

January 8, 2012 -- First Sunday After Epiphany/Baptism of the Lord

God of glory and strength, we share this offering with you as a response to your powerful acts in our own lives. We share our financial resources with you because of the splendorous ways that you have blessed us. Your majestic spirit fills our lives like the mighty waters fill the oceans. All glory is given to you, Lord God. In your powerful name, we pray. Amen. (Psalm 29.)

January 15, 2012 – Second Sunday After the Epiphany

Merciful God, you provide us with so many opportunities to follow Jesus' teaching and to live as modern-day disciples. We sometimes respond to your call with enumerable excuses or unfounded worries. We confuse our spiritual longing with the need for worldly objects. Yet these things provide only a false sense of security. As we offer these financial resources, transform us so that we are stirred to hear your call on our lives. We pray in the name of the Redeeming One, Jesus the Christ. Amen. (John 1:43-51.)

January 22, 2012 -- Third Sunday After the Epiphany

God of Deliverance, we pause during this time of worship to return to you some of the monetary riches that you have given to us. While we wait in pensive silence, we are reminded to set our hearts and minds on your steadfast love. You alone are our rock, our fortress, and our salvation. We experience comforting solace in your refuge. Thanks be to God! Amen. (Psalm 62:5-12.)

January 29, 2012 -- Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany

Awesome God, you sent Jesus to teach people firsthand the power of your love, grace, and authority. Jesus washed away unclean spirits and performed countless other miracles so that even the faithless would experience your love. You call us to be mindful and vigilant of the extraordinary miracles that you continue to work in our lives today. May this offering undergird ministries that show others your miraculous love, grace, and authority. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. (Mark 1:21-28.)

Written by David S. Bell, Vice-President of Stewardship with the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan and Senior Design Partner with Design Group International™. You may contact him by visiting www.DavidSBell.org. Revised by Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship for GBOD.

See the full list of videos from the Stewardship Academy here.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
– Winston Churchill

Define Stewardship

By Mark L. Vincent

Here is a discussion starter for small groups, Sunday school classes, church boards and even families: If we subscribe to a Google RSS feed related to the word “Stewardship,” we will find the following definitions in their current order of frequency:

1. Taking responsibility to care for the environment
2. Being careful with a financial investment
3. Providing good management for an enterprise
4. Raising money for a church
5. Caring for one's life - managing money, time and health

Compare this to the following order of frequency for the word “Stewardship” in the Bible: Ooops! The word cannot be found.

Instead, the word, Steward (oikonomos) can be found in both the teachings of Jesus and in some of the New Testament letters, referring to the office one is given to care for the affairs of one’s master. Stewardship, by definition, is the actions of the Steward.

So, if we search for the various uses of the word Steward instead, here are the definitions we find in their order of frequency:

1. Taking care of the Gospel for God

Sometimes, the Gospel is referred to as the “manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:8). Sometimes the Gospel is encapsulated in a parable of Jesus, such as the servants who must invite people to the wedding feast the Master wants to host. But in all cases, the central idea remains the same. God, in Christ Jesus, is doing something that renews, redeems, saves and makes whole. God wants people to receive this good news of mercy and grace. And God wants those who receive this good news to manage this Gospel message well so that others can hear it and share the joy.

Here then are some key reflection questions:

1. When we talk stewardship in our Church or home, does it sound more like the Google list or what we find in the Bible?
2. How might we recover a stronger sense of our role as a Steward of the Gospel message?
3. How does our use of income, relationships, bodily health and our care for the environment connect to the life of the Steward the Bible asks of us?

Reflecting deeply on these matters, one learns that being a Steward means I organize life for God. Money, talent, relationships, environmental care, and my chosen vocation get connected to my life as a follower of Jesus Christ. The definition need not be complicated.

Mark L. Vincent is a Senior Design Partner of Design Group International TM, an organizational development firm that has developed extensive stewardship education resources. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .