I remember an anecdote from years ago, about a kid whose mother gave him two quarters: one for Sunday school and one for a pack of baseball cards. As the kid was walking, one quarter escaped and rolled down a sewer drain. While staring down the dark hole, the boy said, “Lord, I think that was your quarter.”
We all have some capacity for wanting to hang onto our money. I think even some Christians who tithe hear the word “stewardship” and think, “I am doing things alright.” In fact, stewardship is a lot more than just tithing. You see, God has extended unmerited grace to us, promising us the unspeakable riches of heaven; the very least we can do in return is express our thanks through the diligent use of our time, treasure and talent for Him.
In issues of personal stewardship, the question becomes: Do I care more about myself or the Savior? Matthew 6:21 tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (NKJV). In essence, our stewardship is a reliable picture of our heart. When we recognize that all we have and all we
are comes through God, we have no problem saying, “Here, Lord, take it all because it belongs to you.”
God sees our stewardship as a function of our accountability to Him. He calls us to serve, to give of ourselves, to tithe, to witness, to be wise servants, to pray and to reflect the joy of knowing Him. These traits are reflections of our stewardship to the One who gave all for us.
As a pastor, I can tell you that genuine Christian stewardship empowers a church and a family. Stewardship is infectious because true stewards gain respect and admiration. Their humble testimonies encourage others to live fully for Christ. A church comprised of wise, willing, giving Christians will have its priorities set on the right things.
Just as God entrusted Adam with responsibility of the Garden, He too entrusts you with all you have. To experience true freedom in Him, give and give. Ask God to send new avenues of giving. He will give in return beyond measure.
Your friend in Christ,
Jonathan Falwell