Stewardship and Generosity, Part 3

Continuing my thoughts from yesterday - are the words stewardship and generosity synonyms?

A stewardship that is an outgrowth of true discipleship, can't help but be a generous stewardship.  As disciples we learn about what it means to follow Christ. As stewards, we put what we have learned into action.  One of the ways we are Christ following stewards is that we give of what we have received, and in that giving, we reflect the nature of God in which we were created.

We are created in the image of God. As disciples, we learn what that means, and what God is calling us to do. As stewards of what we have learned and been given, we relect the nature of God within us.  What does that mean? 

As stewards, we are creative. We are kind. We love, we forgive, we stand for justice. And as stewards, we are generous - with our time, our heart, our gifts, and our money.  

Are stewardship and generosity synonyms?  No, I don't believe they are, but they are so wrapped up in each other that we might not be able to separate them.  The steward who is putting feet on his discipleship will be generous.  

It reminds me of the "great debate" over the words of James: "faith without words is dead." Works are such an expression of faith that without the words, we question the faith. Without generosity, we question whether the steward is reflecting the image of God and behaving as a disciple.