Stewardship Reflections

This is a season in which many churches are holding their stewardship campaigns as they prepare for a new year of ministries. Here at First United Methodist Church, we will be holding our stewardship campaign on Sunday, November 8. This is my 3rd post to help us reflect on stewardship and it also gives me a reason to post a beautiful picture of the changing autumn leaves! Ok, this time the picture is more about our dogs going for a walk in the leaves.

Stewardship Reflection:

Beginning in 1731, at the age of 28, John Wesley, 18th century founder of the Methodist movement, began to limit his expenses so that he could give more to assist the poor. In that year his expenses were 28 lbs, his income 30, leaving him 2 to give away. The next year his income doubled, his expenses remained at 28 lbs, so he had 32 to give away. As Wesley’s income grew over the years to as much as 120 lbs, he maintained the standard of living established early in his career and used the rest to assist others in a variety of ways.

Wesley used his charitable giving as direct aid to those in need. This was done in part through the “class meetings” which included many who were among the poor. Wesley took the further step to establish institutions to empower those in need to develop skills to help themselves. He helped establish schools for poor children and weaving factories for the employment of widows. He created a loan fund for struggling merchants. He even established medical clinics so that the poor might have health care.