In Canada, we recently celebrated Thanksgiving – a weekend that gives each of us intentional time to see the many gifts we have been blessed with and think of ways we can share with those around us. As Christ-followers, we do this every single day – right?!
At Diaconal Ministries, we believe that part of the deacon’s mandate is to help their congregations live stewardly – in ALL areas of life, as we read in 1 Peter:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10
What Does Faithful Stewardship Really Mean?
Being a good steward involves more than managing money or deciding where to donate it. It’s the daily, intentional act of receiving God’s grace and sharing it with others—through our time, talents, and resources. Stewardship is not about scarcity or fear; it’s about trust, gratitude, and participating in God’s abundant work in the world.
A Personal Reflection
As a family of six, we’ve learned firsthand how difficult it can be to stretch every dollar. Rising grocery prices and mounting bills make even small joys—like a dinner out or a family outing—feel like luxuries.
Through these challenges, I’ve discovered something profound: faithful stewardship isn’t about having much—it’s about trusting God with what we have. The real question is, “How can I make the most of what God has entrusted to me—no matter how small—to serve His Kingdom?”
The Church’s Call in Challenging Times
Across Canada, many households and congregations are feeling the pressure of rising costs, housing shortages, and financial strain. Churches are not immune—offerings are smaller, budgets tighter, and benevolence requests more frequent.
Yet in these uncertain times, the role of the deacon shines more brightly than ever. Deacons are not simply fund managers—they are spiritual leaders and community connectors, helping congregations see God’s abundance even in seasons of scarcity.
Stewardship is about discovering and cultivating the gifts already present among God’s people. This asset-based approach to stewardship helps believers start with what we have and then trust God to multiply it. In this way, our stewardship is more God-honouring as we see all of people’s gifts and how they use them, not just their tithing and financial giving.
Stories from the Field
Small Church, Big Heart
Linda, a deacon in a small congregation without a full-time pastor, shared how her church has become like a family. Members volunteer, share resources, and partner with local charities, showing that generosity doesn’t depend on wealth.
However, she noted a generational challenge: older members continue to give faithfully, while younger or newer believers are still learning what stewardship means in practice. This underscores the need for discipleship in stewardship—passing on the vision of faithful living from one generation to the next.
A Larger Church Perspective
Connie, a deacon in a larger congregation, described how abundance brings both opportunity and responsibility. While her church has more financial capacity, she emphasized that personal connection makes all the difference.
When members meet ministry partners face-to-face or volunteer in person, giving becomes relational rather than transactional. Seeing the people we serve changes our hearts and our giving.
Another deacon stressed the importance of engaging children early. Whether through food drives, service projects, or partnering with deacons on outreach visits, young people can learn that stewardship is a joyful way of life.
Support from Diaconal Ministries Canada
Both deacons spoke highly of the support they’ve received through Diaconal Ministries Canada. Online and in-person workshops, including a comprehensive stewardship course, helped their teams grow in both understanding and confidence.
One deacon shared that when using the online course, they divided up the sessions amongst deacons and congregation members. By attending sessions separately and sharing what they learned together, their deacon team discovered new, creative ways to engage their congregations in faithful stewardship. Diaconal Ministries’ tools, training, and coaching remind us that every church—large or small—is part of a greater community learning together how to live out God’s abundance.
A Call to Stewardship
Let’s face it: money can be a delicate topic within the church community. When discussions about financial giving arise, especially during tough economic times, it often creates a sense of discomfort. But here’s the truth: when deacons approach stewardship with openness and sincerity, they help create an environment where generosity is not driven by pressure or guilt. Instead, it becomes an essential part of our discipleship journey. It’s about learning to trust God with what we have (all of it, not just our money) and coming together to further His Kingdom. Let’s embrace this calling with open hearts and hands!
Stewardship goes beyond finances—it’s about nurturing relationships, investing time, and using every God-given gift for His glory. Deacons can help make this calling accessible and inspiring by creating tangible, relational, and participatory ways for people to engage.
Practical Ways Deacons Can Empower Stewardship
1. Start with Strengths
- Map out your congregation’s gifts: skills, passions, networks, and resources.
- Highlight “hidden assets” like time, creativity, hospitality, or a workshop skill.
- Celebrate these gifts publicly—in worship, newsletters, or social media—to help people see that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
2. Make Stewardship Relational
- Invite representatives from supported ministries to share stories in person.
- Pair giving with relationship-building—visit, serve alongside, or pray for ministry partners.
- Create a “Stewardship Stories” board or videos that connect giving to visible outcomes.
3. Engage All Ages
- Involve children and youth in hands-on service: food drives, visiting neighbours, or crafting cards for seniors.
- Encourage families to discuss giving and serving together at home.
- Use creative visuals (growing piles of coats, food hampers, or giving trees) as tangible reminders of shared generosity.
4. Teach and Equip
- Partner with pastors or financial professionals to host budgeting or financial literacy workshops.
- Offer sermon series or small group studies on biblical stewardship and generosity.
- Frame stewardship not as a duty but as discipleship—a joyful expression of faith and trust in God’s provision.
5. Celebrate Faithfulness
- Regularly thank and bless those who serve and give in any capacity.
- Share testimonies of how God has multiplied small gifts into great impact.
- Remind the congregation that in God’s economy, nothing given in love is wasted.
Closing Reflection
Let us embrace stewardship as a whole-life response to God’s grace—giving our time, our resources, and ourselves. Let us model it for our children and one another.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” — Luke 16:10
In every act of generosity, no matter how small, we bear witness to God’s abundance and His unending faithfulness.
