David Mosser’s Stewardship Companion (Westminster John Knox) takes on a very ambitious task: to show how the theme of stewardship can be found in at least one of the texts for every single Sunday in the three year lectionary cycle. He is largely successful in doing so. While the Bible is a collection of books of such diversity that it is difficult to legitimately claim that there are many consistent themes throughout, stewardship is one that can be found almost everywhere.

Although Mosser never explicitly gives a definition of stewardship, it is clear that he understands it to be about more than just giving money to the church, although that is an important component. His reflections understand stewardship as relating to how we use everything we have, including money.

Other things become the focus of responsible stewardship, as well. Reflecting on a passage from 2 Peter (Transfiguration Sunday, year A), we see how we are called to be faithful stewards of scripture and the tradition we receive from the generations that come before us. On the Third Sunday of Lent in Year B, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) show us a model of how we are to be faithful stewards of our relationships with one another. Early in Ordinary Time of Year C, we see how a passage from Luke 7 challenges us to be faithful stewards of our space by welcoming the stranger in our midst.

Of course money is a subject of stewardship, too. Old Testament commands about giving first fruits to God (Deuteronomy 26) and New Testament stories like the poor widow’s gift of two copper coins (Mark 12) also get very thoughtful treatment.

If you’re looking for fresh, interesting ways of preaching on stewardship that go beyond reasons why it is important to tithe, this book is an excellent resource. Stewardship is about the way we live our entire lives, not just what we put in the plate on Sundays. This book will help you and your congregation understand that in a deeper way.