Image: Photo by Jana Long from http://diggingawell.blogspot.com
The Stewardship of Easter
We find in Psalm 116:1-2; 12-19: I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
A short, but beautiful hymn appears in the United Methodist Hymnal called "Freely, Freely." (UMH 389). Its message is based on Matthew 10:8 & 28:18-20. The Refrain says it all, "He said, 'Freely, freely, you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name, and because you believe, others will know that I live.'" I first learned it on a Walk to Emmaus weekend, and it was immediately one of my favorites. The psalmist may have inspired the Lord to quote His says in the gospel, but both came from the heart. Our love for the Lord should inspire us to return His love in different ways. The psalmist for the knowledge that God answers all prayers. His attitude? Because God hears and answers my prayers I'll continue to call on him, but I also know that I should do something in return. And so, praise and worship is a starting point, but so is paying to God that which we promised. Most churches have in their membership vows something about stewardship, because financial stewardship is a spiritual matter; but how faithfully do we keep that vow? We sing in unison after the offering is collected our praises to God including one we used to sing in Spanish, "Todo es de Tí, y de lo Tuyo the damos hoy. Amen." Translated, "All things come of Thee, O Lord, and of Thine Own, Have we given thee. Amen." (UMH 588).
The psalmist also reminds us we are God's servants, so much so it is repeated twice in this psalm; servants whose bonds, indicating slave status, have been loosed by God. No longer slaves to sin, we are free to do and give as God intended. Our lives in every aspect and area should be an arena for giving thanks and giving back.
Praise the Lord!
PRAYER: Loving God, for all You have given, we are blessed and thankful. Make my life a life of praise and thanksgiving that puts into action that which we need to do and give. In the Name of He who first gave us, Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
