“If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.” – Billy Graham
During my final year of college, I dreamed of that job, with a big fat salary that would finally help me spend “my” money, “my” way. Growing up we did not see a lot of money, with only my dad earning and raising four girls. I thought my dad made some poor financial decisions, as in, he deferred paying our fees only because that money went to help someone who came to him with a need.
I understood things about money like EMIs, mortgage, investment, e-payments but not Christian stewardship. Perhaps, you are like me. Over the years, The Word, Christian mentors and writers helped me understand this vital aspect.
Some basic tenets about Stewardship we need to understand are:
· God owns everything
Christian financial stewardship begins with a deep understanding that God owns everything, is sovereign over everything, and in Jesus all things hold together. It is natural that we desire to own stuff. You may feel justified to say “mine” like I did. I pray these scripture portions make it clear that God is the creator and owner of everything, including us.
Exodus 19:5; Leviticus 25:23; Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalm 24:1; 50:10; 89:11; Haggai 2:8; Romans 11:36;Colossians 1:16-17
Therefore, we can’t embrace financial stewardship while thinking “mine”.
· God gives us the ability to create wealth
Salary/Business Profits may be perceived as the reward for hard work, acumen, intelligence, and good qualities one is bestowed with. Can one not then claim to be owners of the wealth created? King Nebuchadnezzar’s thought so too, his great pride-filled sin was thinking that all he had was because of him: Daniel 4:30
It is sheer arrogance to think we create success, influence and wealth. The blessings we have, even if we worked to acquire them, are all from God’s hand. Have you ever wondered how you have come to have the talents, the intellect, the opportunities, or the health? Everything comes from the hand of God, even if we work hard.
…for it is [God] who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. – Deuteronomy 8:18
A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. – John 3:27
We all probably acknowledge this. But the proof is in living out this truth.
· God’s glory should be the focus of our stewardship
Using God’s gifts for God’s glory has a primary connection to our thinking about money. So, then you may have questions, should I not buy a house or a car or even go on a vacation? Yes, we could. At a Bible study, I learnt if God gave you a house, open your home for ministry, gave you a car, give a ride to the elderly to church. Everything we do should serve him. The psalmist even prayed for God’s blessing so that God could be seen. Our life in Christ is all about God’s glory – not our own. That’s what it means to be a faithful steward – using God’s resources to bring Glory to God.
Psalm 67:1-2
· God believes in planning
So, we should plan too. The Creator planned things out before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).
Each of us should be living according to a budget. A budget that gives us the discernment between a “want” and a “need”. It should set a threshold so that greed and extravagance do not overtake contentment. No over-burdening debt! Above all, it should necessitate greater giving to God’s kingdom. A budget enables you to live within your means.
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).”
Take help from a wise friend or godly financial planner, especially when it comes to setting long-term goals. “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22)
· God expects us to be good managers with what is entrusted
A good steward, faithfully oversees the protection and expansion of the assets God has entrusted to manage. While finances are only one aspect of stewardship, they are a critical aspect. Giving first to God and His work is our recognition that He already owns everything and that we are responsible to wisely manage these resources for His purposes.
In God’s established world we are merely the managers, reporting directly to Him. He has entrusted us with the freedom, responsibility and opportunity to manage the things put in our care.
And what a trust that is! As His caretakers, we should not be lazy or irresponsible but rather work hard with integrity. Be wise and creative in choosing how, when and where to use the resources He’s placed at our disposal.
In conclusion, let us ask God to make us wise stewards and help us in making financial decisions. Don’t trust your money to take care of you but be subject to his ruling in your life because he will never forsake you. His provision is always more than enough because in God’s economy there is more than enough for everybody
By Mrs. Caroline Wycliffe