What is Stewardship?
Stewardship is more than just contributing time and money to the Church; it is a way of life for Catholic disciples. Rooted in the understanding that everything is a gift from God, it transforms how a person views and lives their life. As the U.S. Bishops state, Christian stewards “receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord”.
For Catholics, stewardship begins with gratitude. A steward recognizes that all they possess—their time, talents, and material possessions (treasure)—are not their own, but blessings from a loving God. This realization leads to a profound sense of thankfulness and the desire to use these gifts for God’s purposes. This grateful response, not mere obligation, is the core motivation for a steward’s actions.
TIME
In the Catholic Church, stewardship of time involves offering one’s time to God through prayer, attending Mass, and serving others. This requires prioritizing one’s schedule to include spiritual life alongside work, family, and rest.
TALENT
In the Catholic Church, it is the grateful and sacrificial use of one’s God-given abilities to serve others and build up the Church. This concept, along with the stewardship of time and treasure, recognizes that all gifts come from God and are to be cultivated and returned to him with increase.
TREASURE
In the Catholic Church, stewardship of treasure is the grateful, intentional, and responsible management of one’s financial and material resources as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This approach is rooted in the belief that all possessions are gifts from God, and Catholics are called to use these resources to build up the Church and serve others.