8. What are the categories of stewardship other than monetary?

• Grace: Our greatest gift from God is eternal life (John 3:16). We are to share the Good News through preaching and teaching, focusing particularly at this time of earth history on Revelation 14:6-12 and pointing to the glorious outcome described in the last chapters of Revelation. JTL25 10.1

• Life: As stewards of the life gifted to humanity, Adventists promote wholistic, healthful living, operating medical, educational, and relief organizations. JTL25 10.2

• Abilities: Stewardship includes maximizing our God-given abilities and talents through judicious use. Christians should make the best possible use of their communication skills to comfort others and share the good news of Jesus (Matthew 25:31-45). In Jesus’ parable of Luke 19:12-27, the talent that was buried and did not grow was taken away from the servant. JTL25 10.3

• Time is a precious gift of God and never to be carelessly frittered away. Each moment is to be used to improve our relationship with the Creator, develop our gifts, and share love and caring with others. The Sabbath is a universal gift of time to be sacredly observed in developing relationships—with God, our family, and others who need our love and caring. In observing its holy hours, we are reminded that Jesus is Lord of all and yet desires deeper connection with us. JTL25 10.4

• Earth: In the Garden of Eden, the Creator commanded Adam and Eve to be stewards of the earth (Genesis 1:26, 28). We are also stewards of this world and should do everything to maintain optimum life on all levels by keeping the ecological balance intact, rather than exploiting its resources for greed (Revelation 11:18). JTL25 10.5

• Children are among God’s most precious gifts (Psalms 127:3). Parents are to prepare their children to be good citizens of this earth (Titus 3:1) and inherit the world to come, by God’s redeeming grace (Jeremiah 13:20). Christian education, discipline and training are tools that can be used by the Spirit of God to prepare children to become full stewards of all their abilities. Raising children to love and serve Jesus as well as others is the stewardship duty and privilege of parents and of the entire community of faith. (Isaiah 54:13). JTL25 10.6