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454 • Part III. Christian Morality: The Faith Lived
what it is to struggle against selfishness and greed, and we real-
ize that it is harder for many today to accept the challenge of
being a Christian steward.
It is essential, therefore, that we make a special effort to
understand the true meaning of stewardship and live accordingly.
A Steward’s Way
The life of a Christian steward models the life of Jesus. It is
challenging and even difficult in many respects, yet intense joy
comes to those who take the risk to live as Christian stewards.
Women and men who seek to live as stewards learn that “all
things work for good for those who love God” (Rom 8:28).
After Jesus, we look to Mary as the ideal steward. As the
Mother of Christ, she lived her ministry in a spirit of fidelity and
service; she responded generously to the call.
We must ask ourselves, do we wish to be disciples of Jesus
Christ and Christian stewards of our world and our Church?
Central to our human and Christian vocations, as well as
to the unique vocation each one of us receives from God, is
that we be good stewards of the gifts we possess. God gives us
this divine-human workshop, this world and Church of ours.
The Spirit shows us the way. Stewardship is part of that jour-
ney. (USCCB, “To Be a Christian Steward,” in
Stewardship: A
Disciple’s Response
[Washington, DC: USCCB, 2002], 45ff.)
BLESSED IS THE GENEROUS HEART
Some say that helping the poor involves only making sure that all their
physical or material needs are addressed. But is this enough? Should we
not also focus on helping people to develop to their utmost potential?
The first step in helping the disadvantaged is to acknowledge the
sacred dignity and image of God found in each person. What is also
required is a conscience formation from which flow the beliefs, attitudes,
and actions that will help the poor. Having more is never enough. Being
more is paramount.
Christian discipleship means, among other things, working to ensure
that all people have access to what makes them fully human and fosters
their human dignity: faith, education, health care, housing, employment,