April 2026 – Elder’s Message

The Three ‘T’s’ (Time, Talent, Treasure)

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Cor 12:4-6)

Elena read through the church announcements lazily, but then suddenly groaned and called out to her husband. “Oh, Herbert– let’s skip church next week. The announcements say that next Sunday is ‘Stewardship Sunday.’ I guess the church didn’t budget right again.” She sighed and muttered to herself, “They might as well give away tote bags with how often they fundraise.”

When you think of ‘stewardship,’ does your mind follow Elena’s path of reasoning? That stewardship is just the ‘churchy’ word for money? We live in a sinful and fallen world; the church certainly needs money to operate. But it would be dishonest to say it starts or ends there. Your money is actually the least efficient way you can serve. Consider your own job. It doesn’t matter your industry or if you’re self-employed. You receive a certain amount of pay for services rendered. After overhead, administration, and taxes, only a portion remains. By the time that “treasure” reaches the mission, it is quite diluted. Money is the third “T”—the least important of the three.

What happens when we cut out the middleman? As Paul shows us, there are all kinds of skills God provides for us to use to His glory. Some you may have learned in college or tech school; others your mother taught you when you weren’t much more than knee-high. I doubt anyone has ever calculated how many hours the members and friends of St. Mark volunteer each month to ensure the Good News is heard. We could never afford to pay for such a workforce! This is the second “T,” your Talent. Paul wrote to Titus: “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs…” (Titus 3:14) Sometimes we get caught up in our ‘faith, not works’ mantra. It’s very true that your works won’t save you, but they do have immense value!

You can work overtime to get more money, or use your talents to gain more wealth. But the amount of time we have is finite. Only God knows how much time each of us has. Outside of grace through faith, our time on this earth may be the most precious gift God gives us. Everyone has time until their last second. How will you use it? Even if your body has started to fail, you can pray, read the Word to someone else, or share the love of Jesus with your stubborn friend over the phone. This is the first “T,” your Time.

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Cor 12:7) God has blessed you with at least two of the ‘T’s.’ You are the steward of your particular good gifts from the Father (Mt 7:11). How will you respond in love to the God who didn’t spare his only Son so that you could spend eternity with him? (Jn 3:16)