Biblical Stewardship
The Bible speaks extensively about stewardship, but its teachings encompass a few central concepts:
GOD OWNS EVERYTHING
“The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
GOD USES THE GENEROSITY OF HIS PEOPLE TO FULFILL HIS PLANS
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
GOD ENTRUSTS US WITH POSSESSIONS AND WEALTH
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them ... After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’"
WE HAVE AN ETERNITY TO LOOK FORWARD TO
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
WE WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR ALL THAT WE'VE DONE
“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
GOD WILL JUSTLY REWARD US IN HEAVEN
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
Taken together, these ideas can be expressed as one essential truth: all that we have is a result of God’s grace and He expects us to use everything for His eternal glory. So, we want to leverage everything that has been entrusted to us for the ultimate glory of God.
How is God glorified?
- He is glorified in His provision to families submitted to the Word of God and His Church, so we can use His resources to satisfy our needs and desires.
- He is glorified in cheerful and voluntary relinquishment of time and money to meet the needs of others, so we donate to charitable causes and serve in ministry opportunities.
- He is glorified in the preaching of His Word, so we give to the Church.
- He is glorified by thanksgiving, so we pay it forward through institutions that have nurtured our growth and maturity into all that we have become.
- Ultimately, the Lord is glorified by and through all that He has created, making the opportunities to glorify Him limitless.
The bottom line is this: through prayer, consultation with the Bible, and discussions with your Church community, you decide how much God wants you to keep, and with everything else you have the opportunity to contribute towards God’s plans and all that He is doing to redeem this world until Jesus returns.