Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Nike in Enugu, Rt. Rev. Christian Onyia, has charged Christians to exhibit generosity and faithfulness while celebrating Christmas.
Onyia gave the charge in a Christmas Goodwill message he signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Enugu.
The bishop noted it was easy for one to get carried away by the festivities and materialism of the season.
According to him, however, we must remind ourselves of the deeper meaning behind our blessings and the need to be faithful stewards.
He also noted that the Christmas season remained a great and timely opportunity for leaders to reflect, repent and recommit to the path of faithful stewardship.
“As the world celebrates the joy and hope that Christmas brings, it is crucial for political, religious, business, traditional, and community leaders to pause and reflect on the responsibility entrusted to them as stewards of their positions/resources.
“In a world dominated by consumerism, individualism and self-gratification; stewardship stands as a profound reminder of our interconnectedness and responsibility towards God and our fellow beings.
“The role of a steward goes beyond mere servant-hood; it entails being trustworthy, faithful, obedient, loyal and respectful to the master who has entrusted much to our care.
“This responsibility is not to be taken lightly, for during God’s Great Judgment Day, our faithfulness as stewards will be of utmost importance,” he said.
He stressed that faithfulness; obedience, loyalty and respect are the cornerstones of stewardship.
Onyia said that these virtues are not just arbitrary standards set by society but are deeply rooted in the belief that we are ultimately accountable to God for how we manage what we have been given.
He said, “For Christians, the ultimate test of stewardship lies in our faithfulness to God.
“As stewards of His blessings, we are called to use our resources not solely for personal gain but for the betterment of others and the advancement of His kingdom.
“As the renowned philosopher Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not everyone’s greed.”
“This quote encapsulates the essence of stewardship – using resources wisely and sharing them generously with others.”
