“April showers bring May flowers” is an old saying that is fairly well known to adults and children as well. It is very true that God blesses His creation with rain which causes seeds to sprout and grow upon the earth. This blessing of rain is something good that God lavishes upon all people, regardless of whether or not they are believers in Jesus as their Savior. And, because of the blessing of rain, seed time and harvest will prevail and the earth will yield its increase and provide food for all God’s creatures. Not only does rain bring forth flowers but also the fruits and grains from gardens, vineyards, orchards and fields. God is good and His mercy endures forever. His rain will come not only in April but throughout the growing season.

We rejoice and are glad that God takes such bountiful care of our physical needs. That is important, but in April we will celebrate a special day which reminds us that God also takes care of all our spiritual needs. That day is Easter, a day set aside to celebrate the victory of Jesus over sin, death and the devil. As the Bible teaches, because He lives we shall also live. What great, good news that is to celebrate and share with others who also need to hear some good news.

Why does God lavish such rich physical blessings upon us? Dr. Martin Luther explains it so well when in the Small Catechism he wrote: “All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true!”

Why does God lavish upon us such rich spiritual blessings because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus? Again, in the Small Catechism Luther wrote: “that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true!”

God lavishes His rich blessings upon us to manage and use in ways that honor Him and bless others as well as ourselves. This is what we mean when we talk about Christian stewardship. God’s stewards freely and joyfully manage all of life and life’s resources for His purposes. This management includes taking care of God’s creation so that the physical needs of all God’s creatures are satisfied. It also includes sharing the good news of hope and salvation through Jesus who died for us and rose again.

A blessed Easter to you all!

Saint John’s Stewardship Board promotes the development of good stewardship and giving patterns among the members of Saint John’s.