What If (Why Do We Struggle With Stewardship?)
The Bible contains 2350 verses on money and possessions. Over half of Jesus’ parables deal with money. Matthew 6:24 teaches us that money, more than anything else, has the greatest chance of replacing God in our lives. If our attitude about money is so important, why do we struggle so much with personal stewardship?
Andy Stanley, senior pastor at North Point Community Church in Atlanta , in his audio CD entitled “Stewards Are Us,” offers some insight. The reason many of us don’t live as stewards is not because we don’t love God, nor is it because we don’t understand stewardship. The reason many of us don’t live like stewards is simply because of fear. We are afraid. We worry ourselves away from correct living. We “what if” our way out of giving. We think, “what if I lose my job?” What if I don’t get that bonus? What if my parents leave their entire inheritance to my brother? What if my wife leaves me? What if I can’t pay the bills? What if…, what if…, what if…? Therefore, when it comes time to give and invest in building the Kingdom, we sort of look inside our wallets and see what is left over.
In fact, we seem to be living by this assumption: by robbing God and not giving generously I will somehow position myself financially so that if there is a financial problem, I’ll be ready for it.
Practical Help
Perhaps we struggle because we don’t really understand what financial security is. Here is the Bible’s definition of financial security in 2 Corinthians 9:8:
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Listen to the hope in this message! “All things…all times…all that you need.” What could be better than that? When we disobey, it’s as if we are saying that we can do a better job than God. The Bible is clear – our God will have no other gods before Him. Remember, also, that the idea “God owns everything” is at the center of Biblical financial planning. How, then, could we possibly improve on His perfect will? Check out this promise in 2 Corinthians 9:10:
“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”
Grab a handful of seed and spread it around!
The views are those of Bruce Olmstead and not those of Summit Brokerage Services. Investments in securities do not offer a fix rate of return. Principal, yield and/or share price will fluctuate with changes in market conditions and, when sold or redeemed, you may receive more or less than originally invested. No system or financial planning strategy can guarantee future results