Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthains 9:7

Grace and peace, church family. I pray this finds each of you well.

I’ll begin with a small confession and a bit of an assumption. Given the age we live in, I am guessing I am not alone in this. At some point, you’ve glanced at your bank statement, and realized you are paying for things you barely remember signing up for: A streaming service you haven’t opened in months. An app you forgot existed. A “free trial” that, surprise, was not free.

It usually leads to the same thought: How did I miss that?

That moment isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. And in a simple way, it gets at the heart of stewardship. Stewardship is not about pressure or obligation; it’s about deciding on purpose, what we’re going to say yes to.

Every one of us is stewarding something, whether it’s our time, our energy, our relationships or our resources. The question isn’t whether we’re giving. It’s really this: What are we giving ourselves to? And does it truly reflect what matters most?

I believe that, when we talk about stewardship in the life of the church, what we are really talking about is joy and trust. Joy in being part of something bigger than ourselves, and trust that God will use what we offer, faithfully and fruitfully, to change lives.

Giving is more than just keeping an institution running. It’s about investing in ministry that reaches people, disciples them in faith, and cares for those in need, all while proclaiming the hope of Jesus in a broken world. It’s about aligning our hearts with God’s heart and mission.

As Commitment Sunday approaches, friends, my prayer is simple: that we would give thoughtfully, joyfully and intentionally, grateful for what God has entrusted to us and excited about what He will continue to do in and through us together.