Stewardship (Part 1)

No topic is probably more intense and makes people as uncomfortable as "money".  Jesus devoted about 25% of his teachings to the subject so clearly it is important.  However, I think any discussions about money have got to under the broader category of "biblical stewardship". 

A steward is simply a manager of someone else's assets.  They are responsible for using those assets wisely, taking care of them, and leveraging them in the most beneficial ways for the owner.  For example, when I was in the Navy I received a qualification called Officer of the Deck Underway which meant when on watch I was in charge of the safe operation and navigation of a $1 billion warship!  However, I represented and worked for the Captain.  I was to operate the ship according to his instructions and keep him posted on progress and problems.  You cannot imagine the thrill of driving one of the most powerful weapons in the world into the Persian Gulf; yet with that thrill was a tremendous sense of responsibility. 

I think this illustrates how we are to view ourselves in relation to God.  God has given us His creation to manage.  We represent Him and are to manage things according to His intentions.  This should be a thrilling undertaking & adventure but should be done with the highest sense of responsibility. 

The Bible is clear that God owns everything (Psalm 24:1-2) and therefore has a right to instruct us how to manage His stuff.  Paul even goes so far as to ask the question, "What  do you have that you did not receive?" (I Cor. 4:7) Biblical stewardship begins with the acceptance of this truth.  Before you talk about tithing and generosity and net vs. gross, you have to nail this truth down: God owns it all!!

From this truth the next steps are simple and obvious but will still challenge us because we are obsessed with ownership whether it is a house, a car, clothes, a cell phone ... we like the words "my" and "mine" in connection with stuff. 

How does God want me to use His stuff?  This is the most basic and fundamental question.  This enables us to live in freedom instead of fear because once we know God's heart we can live according to it.  The bottom line is that God wants us to steward His gifts & blessings for His own glory and for the good others.  Jesus knew the vicious cycle that happens when things are not used for God's glory.  You can see this in the parables of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) and the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-25).  Once we know God's heart we understand then that He wants us to be generous and selfless while living for His mission and not our own.