Creator and Owner

Sept/Oct 2008

When I was growing up, our family did not own a lawn mower, so we had to borrow the neighbors’ next door.  It was my job to cut the grass.  Every time I borrowed the neighbors’ lawn mower, my mother would remind me to take good care of it and to clean it up before I returned it.  “After all, that mower is not ours, and they only let us use it out of the goodness of their hearts.”

Herein is found the first principle of Christian Stewardship:  What we have is not ours; it belongs to God. After all, God made it.  God only lends it to us out of the goodness of His heart.  Thus we need to take good care of all that which God has lent us and clean it up before it is returned.  And let’s face it, we ultimately return everything to the Creator, even our bodies.
 

The First Article of the Apostle’s Creed and Luther’s meaning summarize this theology of creation:  “I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”

What does this mean?  “I believe that God has created me together with all that exists. God has given me and still preserves my body and soul; eyes, ears, and all limbs and senses; reason and all mental faculties.

In addition, God daily and abundantly provides shoes and clothing, food and drink, house and farm, spouse and children, fields, livestock and all property, along with all the necessities and nourishments for this body and life.  God protects me against all danger and shields and preserves me from all evil.  And all this is done out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine at all.  For all of this I owe it to God to thank and praise, serve and obey him.  This is most certainly true.”

Our GREEN emphasis in the Synod is based upon this confession of faith. 

God is creator and owner.  God graciously and abundantly provides.  We respond in thanksgiving, service, and obedience. 

I hope that each of our congregations will send several representatives to our Mission Gatherings this year as we reflect upon God’s generosity and our response of thanksgiving, service, and obedience. 
 

In Christ,

Bishop Gary Wollersheim

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