When people say to me that stewardship is not just about money I usually am suspicious. Often they say it because they have not been as generous with their money as they have been with their time.

But the statement is really true.  And it is about more than just donating your time to worthy causes.  Stewardship of life is about developing the talents that God gave you and using them to God's glory.

I watched some of American Idol the other night.  (My daughter was with me. It is not a show I usually watch otherwise.)

I was impressed with the mostly young people who are putting themselves out there and really exploring what they can do.  I am always impressed with that because of certain small gifts of mine that I have always been afraid to let anyone see.

But then I started thinking about all the people sitting home watching Idol instead of singing in their own church choir or developing their own talents.  I wondered about all the people who should be running for the school board or learning a language or studying an instrument or whatever talent they have that they should be developing and using.

If watching American Idol inspires you to find out what you are made of and what you are capable of, then God bless it.  If it just keeps you from exploring who you are and what gifts God has given you to use in this world, then turn it off and get out there.  That is, after you look inside.  Who are you and who is this God who has made you?

God has richly gifted you.  Don't let fear keep you back.  God will be with you.  Don't let false modesty hold you back.  They call them gifts for a reason.  You can't take credit so dot worry about it.  And don't let exploring God's gifts be just a spectator sport.  Turn off the TV if you need to and find out what you have to offer.

Lord,  We pray about this as we do about our monetary offerings:
Blessed are you,
C   O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2006 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23602