Christian stewardship needs everyone in the parish

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker ... Just like the Parable of the Talents, we are all blessed with unique gifts and talents. To fulfill God’s plan in our lives, we are called to work together using our gifts and talents to the best of our ability. How would we function as a society if we all had the same gifts? Think of all the career paths each of us have taken, this is because we are all blessed with unique gifts. 
“For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Since we are all blessed with different gifts and talents, how can we all be called to stewardship equally? Stewardship looks different for each of us because God made each of us unique. While priests, plumbers and physicians may have different gifts, they are each in the business of helping or healing.
Though different, He blessed us with exactly what we need to fulfill His purpose in our lives. The Bible tells us that we are called to share our blessings proportionately. In 2 Corinthians 8:3, St. Paul encourages believers to give "according to their means."
The Bible gives us numerous examples of how we are called to give proportionately. In addition to the story of the poor widow’s mite and the Parable of the Talents, St. Peter tells us “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
As we attend Mass this Sunday, look around at your village. How many different parts could represent gifts being shared: priest, deacon, lectors, altar servers, greeters, ushers, gift bearers, Eucharistic ministers, musicians, choir members, cantor, sacristan, faithful participants? Thankfully, the priest answered God’s call to priesthood. The altar server is proof that there is no age limit on stewardship. Beautiful music adds so much to the celebration of the Mass. Whether we are greeting fellow parishioners as they enter the church or participating in the Mass as part of the congregation, we each have a role to play. 
In addition to the many ways to serve at Mass, check out the list of ministries at your parish. What gift or talent do you have that is needed by one of these ministries? After all, Christian stewardship takes the whole village! 
­­— Shannon Roh is the Executive Director of the Office of Development and Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Mobile.