Prayer For Proper Use Of Our Talents
Father, creator of all things,
we thank you for all the gifts you have given us.
We thank you especially for the individual
talents and interests
you have chosen to distribute to each one of us.
We are grateful for your gift of intelligence:
that we are able to think, reason and be thankful.
Jesus, our brother and redeemer,
show us how to use the Father’s gifts wisely,
just as you redeemed many people
through your love and concern,
help us to use our individual gifts to the fullest –
always in the service of others.
Encourage us to see the value in other people
and to convince them of their own worth.
Let us share in your redemptive work.
Spirit of God, source of love,
constantly remind us that the gifts we possess
are meant for others
and that if we do not have love,
these talents have no value.
Start a fire of love within us
and convince us
that we must not only use our talents,
but we must lovingly desire to serve those
who do not share our own gifts.
Without you, we cannot call God our Father,
without love, we cannot accomplish any lasting good.
Amen.
Prayer for Stewardship of Treasure
Lord Jesus, You came to tell us that the meaning of life consists in giving.
You told us that those who cling too tightly to what they have – without thought for You or others – end up losing everything.
You gave us new values by which to measure the worth of a person’s life.
Help us to realize it is not temporal success or riches or fame that gives life meaning.
Rather it is the service rendered to You and to others that brings fulfillment and makes our lives worthwhile.
May all our activity help build God’s kingdom: our obedience bring true freedom, our generosity increase love, our sacrifice bear generous fruit, our death lead to eternal life.
The Spirituality of Stewardship of Treasure
Stewardship involves a change of attitude about giving. It’s important to think in terms of giving in gratitude to God. “What shall I return to the Lord for all the Lord has given me?” (Psalm 116:12)
Stewardship opens an avenue of thought that allows us to give “with no strings attached” and without questioning what we will get in return. “The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, / “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; / his righteousness endures forever.”
(2 Corinthians 9:6-9)
In the New Testament, as well as the Old, the references to stewardship of treasure are numerous. The Parables Dealing With Money and Possessions
Matthew 13:44-The Hidden Pearl
Matthew 13:45-The Fine Pearl
Matthew 18:23-35-The Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 20:1-16-The Generous Employer
Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27-The Talents
Matthew 25:31-45-The Sheep and the Goats
Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19-The Wicked Tenants
Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-46-The Servant Entrusted With Supervision
Luke 7:41-43-The Two Debtors
Luke 10:25-37-The Good Samaritan
Luke 11:5-8-The Friend at Midnight
Luke 12:16-21-The Rich Fool
Luke 13:6-9-The Barren Fig Tree
Luke 14:28-30-The Tower Builder
Luke 14:31-33-The King Contemplating a Campaign
Luke 15:3-7-The Lost Sheep
Luke 15:8-10-The Lost Coin
Luke 15:11-32-The Prodigal Son
Luke 18:1-8-The Unjust Judge
Luke 18:9-14-The Pharisee and the Tax Collector