February 2003 Jesus is our Chief Steward      God sent us His Son so we might have life and have it abundantly. Jesus took our sins upon Himself and became our Savior. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). He came, not only to die on the cross for us, but also to show us how to live. Because Jesus lived among us, He became our model for stewardship. He lived a life of love for His heavenly Father and others. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus lived a lifestyle of love that pleased His Father. God said, “This is My Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).      Jesus’ stewardship challenges us as stewards to follow Him and do what He did. Of course, we are incapable of perfectly following the life of Jesus, but, as our faith matures, we become more like Christ. Jesus not only talked about love; He walked in love. To be more like Jesus means that we reflect the love that He first gave to us (Matthew 5:18). When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He responded, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-38). By ourselves, we are incapable of loving others. However as Christ fills us with His love, we can share His love with others. Because He first loved us, we can love others (1 John 4:19).      Stewardship consists of individual acts of giving and sharing but is much more besides. Faithful stewardship is a way of life or a lifestyle. Jesus modeled the perfect stewardship lifestyle. His love and devotion to His Father enabled Him to live in complete obedience. Just as Jesus told the disciples, He tells us, “If you love Me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). Obedience is evidence of our love for Christ. Jesus’ example of love and obedience gives us a model to follow. Through God’s Word and Sacraments, we will understand our privilege to follow Jesus’ example of a God-pleasing steward. Lyle Hansen - Pastor

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