This Sunday, on Stewardship Sunday, Fr. Gregory outlines the history of stewardship in the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, stewardship served three main purposes: acknowledgment that everything belongs to God, thanksgiving for God sharing his creation with us, and providing for the priest and tabernacle/temple. In the New Testament, there is an emphasis on stewardship being a sacrificial free will offering of our whole selves, rather than a mandatory minimum ‘tax’ of sorts.
This brings us to this Sunday’s Gospel reading, in which the rich fool plans his material future security without consideration of God’s generosity. Fr. Gregory relates this attitude to the concept of “golden handcuffs” that so often shackle us. Our lifestyle can enslave us when we are only left unsatisfied with our riches, constantly seeking to fulfill more earthly desires. Fr. Gregory contrasts this with those who are truly rich — those who have no earthly desires and are deeply grateful for the gifts God has given them.
Fr. Gregory encourages us to invest in the kingdom of God, the only certain long-term investment, and be good stewards of God’s gifts — not just our money, but also our time and talent.
