STEWARDSHIP
Everything that we have is a gift from God.
God’s greatest gift, Jesus, gave up everything for us, including His life. We are called to do the same; we cannot “keep” somethings to ourselves.
God made us “stewards,” or managers of all that we have, and everything we have is the Lord’s.
This includes our finances. Believers should pray and seek the Lord about giving financially to His work.
Where has God moved your heart? Is it to help the poor? Your local church? Do you have a desire to train new believers?
Giving financially to God’s work is an honor and privilege.
Some suggest that you give 10% of your income if possible. This is not a requirement, simply an offering to the Lord.
Be wise in your giving, take care of your family and loved ones. Never let a person persuade you to give money to a cause outside of the Lord’s work.
Pray and seek the Lord’s guidance in giving and be a good steward of your resources. On a regular basis spend time reading and gaining wisdom from the book of Proverbs.
READ SCRIPTURE
PROVERBS
MATTHEW 10:16, NIV
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
MATTHEW 25:14-30, NIV
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.
15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.
17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.
18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “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!’
22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “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!’
24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 ” ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
LIVE IT
Am I a good manager of the things God has given me, including finances?
Am I effectively using the gifts God has given me?
How am I investing in the Kingdom of God?
What is God asking me to take better care of in my life? How can I honor Him today in this?
PRAYER
“Father, help me to see that everything you have given is a gift. I simply am watching over these gifts as your steward. Help me to be faithful Lord Jesus. I choose right now, with the faith you have given me, to surrender the things that I hold on to the most. I release them to you …In Jesus name I pray, Amen”
