Stewardship

Few conversations within the church bring more discomfort and uneasiness than when stewardship and money get brought up. However, I don’t believe it has to be that way. When Jesus speaks about stewardship or when Paul addresses giving to the ministry, it’s never forced or uncomfortable. Actually, the New Testament presents this topic as a normal conversation for those of us within the church and demonstrates our need for giving to see the mission of God’s Kingdom actualized in this life.

What makes it uncomfortable oftentimes is guilt. We feel guilty that we aren’t giving as we should or guilty that we believe we cannot afford to give to the church. It is understandable. No one wants their finances blasted on Facebook or Twitter for all the world to see. So, here’s the deal…I do not want anyone to feel guilty. I want you to step into the presence of the Lord and seek His face as a steward of all that He has given. There, you will find no guilt, only the peaceful hand of your Savior leading you into His ways and showing you the power that you already have by the indwelling Holy Spirit to give in accordance with His will. Consider this:

Being a faithful steward is a statement of trust. Paul extols the churches of Macedonia in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 for their extreme generosity in giving. He speaks of how they were not wealthy but gave freely. He is using the Macedonian churches to encourage Corinth in their giving and makes two spectacular notes:

a.       In 8.3 and 5, Paul notes that they gave beyond themselves because “they first gave themselves to the Lord” (NASB). Here was a church that stepped out beyond what they could give trusting God to supply.

b.       God does supply. Paul notes in 9.10 “Now He (capital because it’s God!) who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing” (NASB).

Being a faithful steward places the responsibility of provision squarely on the shoulders of God. It is a huge statement of trust that says, “God, I cannot afford to give this, but You can. I am giving in trust that You will provide.” The “Bring Your Best” challenge asks you to prayerfully consider this.

Being a faithful steward is about ownership. If you were to loan your car to a neighbor, you would expect them to take care of it better than their own vehicle because it belongs to someone else, namely, you! The Bible teaches that “the earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it” (CSB). If everything that is in this earth belongs to God, that includes what is legally considered your property. Your house, your car, your bank account, your cat, etc. We are given as managers of what is God’s. Larry Burkett once said, “When we acknowledge God’s ownership, we no longer ask ‘Lord, what do You want me to do with my money,” but is restated, “Lord, what do you want me to do with Your money?” The Bring Your Best challenge is giving God license to direct us on how to give what is already His!

Being a faithful steward understands control. King David says in 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 “We adore You as the One Who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything.” That sounds like a God who has things under control, right?!? When we give faithfully, we are making a statement about the control has over us AND over circumstance. It is an opportunity for us to see His hand guide as we Bring Our Best.

Church, we serve a great and mighty God. One Who has more under His control this millisecond than we will ever have in our lifetimes COMBINED! He has given us a wonderful platform to demonstrate our trust in His as we give in accordance to His Word regularly and as we step up our game and Bring Your Best on October 1. Seek Him today as you prepare to Bring Your Best! I am praying for you all…see you Sunday!