A steward is a person responsible to use someone else's
property to accomplish work for the owner. The Bible teaches Christians to carefully
consider principles of stewardship when they are considering their financial
contributions to the work of the church. Please consider these principles:
Psalm 24:1,2 - "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters." God owns the earth and everything on it. Our possessions were given us by God (Psalm 50:10,12; Haggai 2:8; 1 Chronicles 29:12,14; Deuteronomy 8:11,17,18; James 1:17; Job 1:21).
Acts 4:32-35 - Christians shared with needy believers because they knew that the things they possessed were not really their own. If we view our possessions as "ours," we may resent giving them to others. But when we realize that these things ultimately belong to God, then we should willingly use them for whatever God wants.
How careful are we in using the Lord's money to fulfill our stewardship?
Acts 2:44,45 - All that believed were willing to share to meet the need (cf. Acts 4:32).
1 Corinthians 16:1,2 - Every one should lay by in store.
All who are in the church ought to be good stewards in giving to finance the work.
If all members would do their share, would the church be able to accomplish more?
Luke 12:42-48 describes the work of a steward. In verse 48 Jesus concluded: "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." (Acts 11:29)
A steward is responsible for all that has been entrusted to him. The more that is entrusted, the more he is responsible to use.
The average American has much more of this world's goods than most other people. God has entrusted much to us, so it follows that He will hold us accountable to use what He has entrusted to us to accomplish His work.
How faithful are you and I in using the rich blessings God has provided?
Luke 16:1,2 - The owner required his steward to give an account of his stewardship.
It is a principle of stewardship that the owner of the goods may hold the steward accountable for how he uses the property (Luke 12:42-46; 1 Corinthians 4:2). Since God owns everything, He has the right to call us to account for all He has given us.
God has appointed a day in which we will all be judged (Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:12; Matthew 25:31-46). This judgment will include an accounting for our giving.
When we stand before Jesus, will we be ashamed for the amount we gave to support the work of the church? Or are we truly faithful stewards who will be rewarded eternally at the judgment?
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2017; gospelway.com
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Scripture quotations are generally from the New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1982, 1988 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. used by permission. All rights reserved.