The Joy of Generosity—Introduction A Three-Week Series on Stewardship

This is part of the worship series
"The Joy of Generosity"

Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 

Introduction

The story goes that Erasmus, a Renaissance scholar, was watching with the pope as wagonloads of wealth were brought through the gates of the Vatican. Turning to Erasmus, the pope observed. "No longer can the church say with Peter, 'Silver or gold have I none.'" Erasmus replied, "True. And neither can the church say to the lame man, 'Take up your bed and walk.'"

Maintaining spiritual vigor in the midst of great wealth was a challenge for the church of past centuries and still is for the church today. We have been entrusted with incredible resources. How do we prevent that wealth form sapping our spiritual strength and making us simply a congregation of consumers? By seeing ourselves as stewards of the Lord's riches.

But if stewardship is so important to spiritual development, why does the topic remain so intimidating for pastors? Perhaps it's because pastors fear that stewardship is only a fancy word for budget. A pastor's ministerial integrity is compromised when a sermon is nothing but a fund-raising pitch.

The three service plans that follow explode that warped perception of stewardship by exploring stewardship from a biblical perspective. The first service outline includes four "T"s, with a suggested division into four short mediations based on God's comprehensive call that we become stewards of trees, time, talents and treasures. In the second service, "Dainties and Discipleship," we examine the "dainties" of our consumer culture. The third service, "Generous Giving," challenges us to be cheerful, generous givers. Corresponding to these service plans are devotions for home use and lesson plans for five levels of church education classes (from preschool through adult); see inside back cover for ordering information.

Scripture offers a wealth of material on money and material possessions. In fact, over two thousand verses speak to the issue of stewardship. It is our hope that this service planning series will encourage you as pastors and worship leaders to set before your congregation an expanded vision for stewardship. Thanks to Mary Westmaas, a church organist, bell choir director, and worship coordinator, for the suggested liturgical elements.

Series Image

The image for this series found above can be used by RW readers for their bulletins or slides and is available in color and black and white to download from the resource section below. Use the following copyright line: © 2001 ReformedWorship.org CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Series Outline

Series Music

Song suggestions are provided for each week, but the following suggestions apply to the series as a whole:

Theme Song

“God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending” ^Edwards

Suggested tunes: HYFRYDOL or BEACH SPRING

God, whose giving knows no ending,
from your rich and endless store,
nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom,
costly cross, grave’s shattered door:
Gifted by you, we turn to you
offering up ourselves in praise;
thankful song shall raise forever,
gracious donor of our days.

Skills and time are ours for pressing
toward the goals of Christ, your Son:
All at peace in health and freedom,
races joined, the church made one.
Now direct our daily labor,
lest we strive for self alone;
born with talents, make us servants
fit to answer at your throne.

Treasure too you have entrusted,
gain through powers your grace conferred;
ours to use for home and kindred,
and to spread the gospel Word.
Open wide our hands, in sharing
as we heed Christ’s ageless call,
healing, teaching, and reclaiming,
serving you by loving all.
—Text: Robert L. Edwards, 1961 © 1961, 1989 by the Hymn Society; admin. Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188. Permission to reproduce this text must be obtained from Hope Publishing Co., 800-323-1029. 

Songs led by children

Of the many song suggestions in this series, several lend themselves well to having children serve as worship leaders during the service. If plans are made in advance, have the children learn at least one song for each week in the series. Here are some ideas from the children’s hymnal Songs for Life.

“Forest Trees” ^{Walker, Polman}
Have different age levels each learn a stanza and have all the children sing the refrain together.

“Many and Great” ^{Renville, Frazier}
Before and/or after the reading of Psalm 8, have the young children sing stanza 1 of this Native American song with motions and hand drum accompaniment. (You may wish to keep the drum pattern (see below) going during the reading of the psalm). The children could teach the motions to the congregation:

Many and great, O God, are your works,
Look at hands throughout the entire stanza. Moving every two beats, first spread right arm out to the side, then the left to the left side, then right arm up, then left arm forward.

Maker of earth and sky;
On “earth” bring both arms down; up on “sky.”

your hands have set the heavens with stars;
Lift both hands high, wave and wiggle fingers like twinkling stars.

your fingers spread the mountains and plains.
Trace hills and then plains with hands.

You merely spoke, and waters were formed;
Cup hands to mouth; then extend hands in front as if spreading over a flat ocean.

deep seas obey your voice.
Reach hands low and bend from shoulders.
 

"The Wise May Bring Their Learning” ^Anon 
A fitting text to a traditional tune; the text asks: What treasures shall we bring?

“Dare to Be a Daniel” ^Bliss 
Have the children sing at the conclusion of the Scripture reading in week 2.