One year ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to lose 25 pounds during 2010. I even made a bet for $1 with one of the altar servers at my parish that I would lose the weight. He asked me how he would know for sure that I did lose weight. I said to him, “Don’t you trust your pastor?” He said to me, “Not one who bets.” Well, I had to pay off my bet a few weeks ago, since I did not lose the weight I wanted to. Our collection for the needy is $1 richer with the donation from the altar server.
The New Year is a traditional time to make resolutions for a healthier, more disciplined way of life. What are some things in your life that you would like to change over the course of this year? What is stopping you from making those changes?
Our commitment to living stewardship as a way of life is an ongoing process. The commitment to discipleship is a daily occurrence, since Jesus said that if you wish to be His follower you must take up your cross each day and follow Him. A resolution to practice and improve in some aspect of stewardship is an excellent way to start another year.
I think the perfect starting point is to look at our stewardship of time and improve the way we pray. I came across an excellent resource to help with daily prayer called, The Better Part – A Christ Centered Resource for Personal Prayer, by Fr. John Bartunek. This popular book is excellent in helping to keep you focused on a good resolution to pray each day.
Another good resolution is to examine our stewardship of talent, and then step up and volunteer to serve a parish ministry to give of your time and talents back to your parish and to God.
A final suggestion for the New Year would be to develop the habit of generosity. Stewardship is not so much something you do, as it is HOW you do something. We act as good stewards when we act GENEROUSLY with everything God gives us.
Our time, talent and treasure are precious gifts that God gives us. How will you use them this year?
