The Easter season is a time of renewal, hope, and profound reflection. At the heart of it lies the celebration of resurrection—not only of Christ but of new life, new beginnings, and renewed commitments. As we bask in the joy of Easter and the weeks that follow, it’s a powerful opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a good steward of all we’ve been entrusted with: our time, talents and our treasures.

Easter is the culmination of the Christian story of sacrifice and salvation. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a miraculous event to be remembered but a divine call to transformation. In the light of the empty tomb, we are invited to reassess how we live, how we give, and how we serve.

True stewardship flows from gratitude. As Dr. Reggie Ponder says, “it’s a response, not an obligation.” The resurrection reveals the depth of God’s love and generosity. How do we, in turn, reflect that love in our daily lives? How do we steward our blessings to bless others?

Easter invites us to embody resurrection living—to be people who carry the hope and light of Christ into the world. Stewardship is one of the most tangible ways to do that.

Time: Living with Intention

Time is one of the most precious resources we have, and it is often the most taken for granted. During the Easter season, we are reminded that life is a gift, and each moment is an opportunity to honor that gift.

Stewarding our time means choosing how we spend our days with intention. Are we making space for prayer, for rest, for loved ones, and for service? Are we prioritizing the things that matter, or are we swept away by busyness? And we know that busyness is an easy trap in which to fall.

Resurrection reminds us that every day holds the possibility of transformation. Perhaps it’s time to revisit how we allocate our hours. Even ten minutes a day of intentional silence, reading, or connection with someone in need can become sacred acts of stewardship.

Talents: Offering Our Gifts

Each of us has unique gifts and abilities—creativity, leadership, compassion, teaching, listening, organizing, or encouraging. Stewardship during the Easter season invites us to ask: How can my gifts bring new life to others?

Jesus’ resurrection was the ultimate gift, and in His spirit, we are called to be gift-givers too. Whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, mentoring someone, serving in your church, or simply using your voice to advocate for justice, your talents are not accidental. They are tools for resurrection in action.

This season is a wonderful time to step back and evaluate how we’re using our talents. Are we holding back out of fear or self-doubt? Are there new ways we’re being called to serve? Easter encourages boldness—it tells us that death is not the end, and that includes the death of dreams, hopes, and potential.

Treasures: Giving with Joy

Easter is also a call to generosity. In light of all we’ve received, we are invited to live open-handedly. Stewardship of treasure isn’t just about tithing or giving to charity—it’s about a mindset of abundance over scarcity.

The resurrection narrative defeats the idea that we must hold tightly to what we have to survive. Jesus gave everything, and through that sacrifice, He triumphed. As followers, we are called to give joyfully, trusting in God’s provision.

During the Easter season, we might reflect on our spending habits, our approach to material possessions, and our relationship with money. Are we using our financial resources to build God’s kingdom? Are we supporting causes that align with resurrection values—life, justice, compassion, and restoration?

Even simple acts—like buying someone a meal, donating unused items, or contributing to a mission project—can be powerful expressions of stewardship.

Community: Investing in Relationships

Finally, Easter stewardship is also about how we care for each other. The early church, birthed in the wake of the resurrection, was marked by radical community—they shared everything, broke bread together, and met each other’s needs.

We are not meant to live the resurrection alone. Stewardship calls us to invest in our relationships—with family, neighbors, church members, and even strangers. It asks us to show up, to listen, to forgive, to support, and to love.

Is there someone who needs a word of encouragement? Is there a fractured relationship that needs healing? Is there a neighbor you’ve been meaning to check in on?

These simple acts of connection are powerful forms of stewardship. They help build the kind of world resurrection makes possible.

Living the Easter Story Daily

Ultimately, stewardship during the Easter season is about alignment. It’s about aligning our lives with the truth of the resurrection—that love wins, that life triumphs, and that we are entrusted with the ongoing work of resurrection in the world.

It doesn’t require perfection. It just requires willingness. A heart open to serve. A spirit ready to give. A mind renewed by hope. Whether through your time, talents, treasures, or relationships— each act of stewardship is a ripple in the story of Easter, a small resurrection in a world still aching for new life.

And so what do we say about these things?

At UMF, we view all that we do through the lens of our mission, namely, helping God’s people pay it forward. That’s how we steward the gifts placed in our hands. And in that stewarding we create a dent, or a ripple, that has effects far beyond the shores of our office doors.

We invite you to be a part of all we do at UMF, where Easter lasts all year.