Suggested Resources for Stewardship

In the church of Jesus Christ, the work of building up the body of Christ belongs to everyone. The kingdom of God, about which Jesus continually spoke, is not a group of individuals doing unrelated tasks; it is a community, marked by partnership, commitment, diversity, and giving to the other -- the neighbor.

As a part of Christ’ church, and of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Princeton Theological Seminary understands that it is part of this community. It cannot accomplish its mission -- providing the highest quality theological education to women and men called to serve the church of Jesus Christ worldwide -- alone. It must do so in community. We need all members of the Body, as Paul says, for the upbuilding of the whole body.

Luke 12:48 -- "From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded" is a primary stewardship text. This text is a clarion call to the Christian church, to the Presbyterian Church (USA), and to Princeton Seminary. We have been given much. We have been given the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a community into which we are called and in which we are supported in life and ministry. We have been given much -- many wonderful people, many faithful graduates and faculty, many talented and committed students, many financial resources from those who loved Jesus Christ and his church in decades past. We know that much is expected of us, by the church, and, even more, by Christ who called us.

Many other passages of Scripture address stewardship and the quality of the Christian community, including these:

* The Parable of the Prodigal Son: This parable contrasts the life of community with the life of individualism. Neither the younger nor the older son can live outside of the community of father and family, and still have a life of well-being. Both are offered the chance to participate in their father’s graciousness and love, to literally join the party. We are in this together, Jesus the parable-teller seems to say. Community is the preferred way of life in God’s kingdom. The parable also makes clear that with community comes responsibility. One cannot choose to be answerable to no one. One must be answerable to others in the community. This is true of those who attend seminary, those who teach, and those in the church who will hold their future leaders accountable while they support them.

* The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard: In this parable, Jesus makes it clear that one of God’s words most important words to humanity is "generosity." We tend to give based on words like "fairness," and "who deserves the most." Jesus, however, suggests that in community, we must give based on generosity, not giving only to those who meet our standards, or whom we can exercise some control over, but to all.

* The Parable of the Lost Sheep: Here we learn that God’s community is not complete as long as there is one that is "lost." Perhaps one whose call cannot be followed. One who cannot afford a theological education. One whose voice cannot be heard. And when the lost is found, the whole community rejoices.

* The Parable of the Good Samaritan: "Who is my neighbor?" is perhaps the most compelling question Jesus asks us. It is a question the answer to which he equates with inheriting eternal life. Jesus says that who we choose to help, be they institutions or individuals, should have nothing to do with the artificial boundaries we erect to determine who is the most deserving of our attention. The parable says that the neighbor is often surprising and unexpected, not the one we think most obvious.

* The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25): Jesus says to look to what we do with what is given to us. Those who invest well, with care, with planning, will hear the word "well done." Those who hide their talents and their gifts --- financial or otherwise -- or bury them, or ignore them, will be left behind. This is true also for the call to ministry. All Christian have a call from God to be part of the ministry of Christ’s church. Whether seminary students lay people, or ordained ministers, we should not bury our talents.

* Mark 3:31-35 -- Who Is My Family?: In this small story, Jesus seems to re-define his family. It is not just his biological mother and brothers who are his family, but all those in need. The "family" of the PCUSA or of Princeton Seminary is larger both in its composition and in its outreach than we might think.

* I Corinthians 12:12-27 -- The Interdependence of the Body of Christ: The Body of Christ has many members, says Paul, and each is as important as the next. We do not exist alone. There is no one person, church, institution, that does not need the other. In this web of need and responsibility, Princeton Seminary, like all other members of the Body, has both. 

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