In 1997 a friend asked me if I would like to attend a seminar
in Hungary. My initial thought was two-fold: What a great opportunity
for me to see a second world country, but also it would give me the
unique opportunity to provide support and encouragement to a long time
friend: that friend being Pastor Chuck Roost, Founding Partner of INTERNATIONAL
STEWARD.
At
first, I thought I would be the dutiful friend helping on this great
mission. By giving of my time, energy, and resources. But that wasn’t
the case. As it turned out, my life was forever changed.
Since the first seminar I've been able to attend and participate in
sixteen others.
It was during these seminars that the basic concept of "stewardship"
took on a deeper meaning. The uniqueness of knowing that all of us have
been given something to manage, big or small, began to impact my life
at a deeper level.
To teach that concept to those who have so much less than we, and to
see them respond to it, opened my heart and eyes to a new world.
Recently, in Uganda, a man shared with me that he had put into practice
what he had learned at an earlier seminar we had given. He raised money
in a refugee camp to help the needy. He was one of the refugees! This
man truly knew what it meant to be a good steward and he was committed
to developing the grace of giving in others.
These experiences have impacted my life like nothing else has, God has
given me so much. All I have to do is manage it to his standards, not
mine. It sounds complicated, but its not. I realized for the first time,
internally, right where I was, that it is all God's... everything. Realizing
this has given me a sense of peace, one I can’t describe.
As I think about the countries and people I have seen, the need is so
great for Christians, not just to give, but to become stewards...stewards
of what we have been given to manage.
I encourage anyone to step out of his or her comfort zone, and join
us for one of these seminars, and begin to understand the true meaning
of "stewardship." It’s a great first step.
About the Author:
Larry Hoff is a current Board Member of International Steward, and is
President of Contract Assembly, a company he co-founded in 1996. Larry
lives in Wayland with his wife Jean.
