A year or so ago, Dr. Eugene Boe invited me into his inner sanctum – a home study consisting of a theological library of thousands of books, a computer workspace, and a large table with comfortable chairs suitable for spirited discussion. Dr. Boe is Professor of Systematic Theology at Lutheran Brethren Seminary, and I was seeking his input on some loose ends on the final editing of the Commentary on the Statement of Faith of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren.

When we’d covered most of my questions on that project, I ventured one more question on an entirely different topic. It was a question I thought he might answer “yes” or “no,” or perhaps in a couple of minutes give a slightly more detailed answer. Instead, I received much, much more.

My question: “Does the Church of the Lutheran Brethren have a theology of stewardship?”

Growing up in a Lutheran Brethren congregation, I heard the word “stewardship” from a very young age, but not often, and never outside of church. On occasion in a sermon, our pastor or a guest speaker would use that word in association with “tithing” or “faith promises” or “planned giving.” So it seemed to me that stewardship was about money and church and duty – and not very much fun. Over time I learned that stewardship is a biblical concept encompassing much more than just money. I learned that we give to the Lord because he gave us his Son. But stewardship still didn’t seem like very much fun. Maybe it’s fun, I thought, for those people who have a lot to give away.

Hearing my question, Dr. Boe pondered for a moment. Then he dashed off to the library side of the inner sanctum, bringing back first one book, then another, as various authors came to mind. Scripture passages were suggested. Many questions were tossed on the table regarding the application of biblical stewardship to all aspects of our lives.

An hour or more passed easily on a subject that had become fascinating in all of its possibilities. Clearly, we were only scratching the surface. When I finally took my leave, I was feeling guilty for imposing on too much of Dr. Boe’s time. But as I began to apologize, he interrupted me and said with some enthusiasm, “I want to thank you, Brent. I really enjoyed that!”

Joy? Stewardship? That was a new word association.

What is stewardship? A big question! A steward is one who had been entrusted with property or finances and is charged with managing them in the best interests of the owner. But we want a biblical understanding. Biblically, if we are children of God through faith in Christ, then we are all stewards for him of the good gifts that he has entrusted to us – and we have been given so much! All of life and all of life’s resources are from God, and entrusted to us for the purpose of his glory.

Our use of money is merely one application of stewardship. All that we are, all that we own, it’s a gift. Redeemed by Christ, we are his. He has shown us unmerited favor. Now we seek to make wise decisions: How much of the gift do we use for ourselves and how much do we use to bless others in Christ’s name?

We apply that question also to our time, our talents, our treasures (including non-monetary resources). Some examples: What are weekends for? If retirement is a gift of time, how can we best use it to glorify God? If we have been given a special mechanical or technical aptitude, who else could benefit from it? How could our homes or summer homes or vehicles or boats be used in God’s employ? What is wealth for? How does God define “financial security?”

True stewardship involves seeing ourselves and others through God’s eyes, and walking in the path of Jesus Christ:

If we lived our lives in such a way that we knew we were being used by God to bring his blessing to others, how would we feel? Joyful? Yes!

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…(Philippians 2:4-7a).

Joy. Stewardship. Maybe, if we really understand things correctly, these two words are supposed to go together.

Brent Juliot teaches math and economics at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, Minnesota (www.ffhillcrest.org)