Stewardship
What do you treasure?
These days, advertisements come at you from every direction—television and
radio, newspapers and magazines, the Internet and even your cell phone. It’s
easy to see how people become obsessed with accumulating wealth and acquiring
possessions when everything imaginable seems within reach. People often joke
that whoever has the most toys at the end of the game wins. Taken seriously,
however, that philosophy reflects the core value of a self-centered, materialistic
culture.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke clearly about setting our priorities
straight.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break
in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6: 19-21)
As Christians, we know that God owns everything and that we are here to manage
what he has entrusted to our care. That’s what stewardship is . . . managing
the gifts God gives us in ways that glorify Him. We enter this world with nothing,
and we take nothing with us when we die. Sure, having adequate financial resources
and creature comforts may make certain aspects of our lives seem easier, but
they can be a real stumbling block to our spiritual lives. Why? Money often
obscures our need for God.
The following links will help you learn more about why we should give and
how we can support the work of God's Kingdom through our financial gifts. Giving to God,
being faithful stewards of his financial blessings—this is what He calls us
to do, this is how we enrich our lives spiritually. The chance to give back
to God what is already His is a blessing we should treasure.
This website has lots of resources to help you make an informed decision
and commitment to practice biblical Christian stewardship. Spend a few minutes
and browse around.
