Let us not forget that our common life is dependent upon each other’s toil.

Compline Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer

I pray the above regularly as part of our nightly 9:00PM prayer time. Each time it reminds me that we are interdependent. Never to be an island unto ourselves – yes, even us introverts – but rather a vital part of a larger picture.

Full sermon audio here.

Stewardship is bigger than a church budget. It is one of the key practices which God uses to mold our life in the image of Christ and build the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. As Matthew 25:14-30 (Jesus’ concluding parable) describes, God gives gifts with the expectation that they will be invested not for our profit but for the Kingdom’s. Of course, since we are part of the Kingdom of God we too benefit as seen by the servants who are told, “Well done good and faithful servant, you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of the master.”

Stewardship of God’s gifts brings about joy as we are part of a transcendent purpose. And that brings us back to the prayer above. Let us never forget that our common well-being is dependent on the stewarding of our individual gifts.