A concept that is becoming increasingly popular in society is "sustainability." I recently read a marker at the Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest near Clermont, KY that defined sustainability this way: "To live a sustainable life is to care about generations we'll never know and embrace the future for them." The marker went to give examples of sustainable activities, such as planting trees that will mature for the benefit of others long after we have died.

This is a connecting point between Christianity and the culture. There is a sense of self sacrifice to sustainability. Certainly Christians are called to lives of self sacrifice as a response to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. Just a sustainability is based on the assumption that humanity has a responsibility to those who will come later, so Jesus' call to love our neighbor includes caring for that which will benefit future generations. In financial stewardship we emphasize gifts that will perpetuate the spreading of the Gospel after we are called to glory. It would be interesting to hear of connections between sustainability and stewardship in your community and congregation.