Stewardship
What is Stewardship?
Most of us have been taught the value of "sharing" with others
since we were children. Whether we are sharing with brothers and sisters, other
family members, neighbors or classmates, the idea of "sharing" has
become part of the fabric of our society to the benefit of all. In more recent
times, the idea of "sharing" has come to be applied to the environment
and scarce resources for the entire world, as the world is best known as a global
village which is sustainable only if we share.
There are many stewardship principles which, when followed, will help us grow as Christians and will also advance God’s Kingdom. One is the biblical “Who’s in Charge” principle. Psalm 24:1 tells us that “the earth and everything on it belongs to the Lord. The world and its people belong to him.” So if God owns all, what am I doing with it? A steward is one who owns nothing, but is responsible for everything and cares for it.
Another principle is the “Give and Grow” principle. Practicing stewardship enable us to find our own spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12), increase our faith and receive blessings (Malachi 3:10-12), and be fruitful in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 25:14-30). Some people say, “When I have more then I will give it.” Let us all trust the Lord in this aspect of faith “…for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9).