The most important verse in the Bible about stewardship is Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This verse establishes absolute rights of ownership. Stewardship is about our relationship to God. He is owner and we are managers. Until this relationship is rightly aligned and embraced, then stewardship in our minds will always be confused.
“Stewardship defines our purpose in this world as assigned to us by God Himself. It is our divinely given opportunity to join with God in His worldwide and eternal redemptive movement (Matthew 28:19-20). Stewardship is not God taking something from us; it is His method of bestowing His richest gifts upon His people,” (https://www.gotquestions.org/biblical-stewardship.html). How many times have you thought stewardship is about God requiring His people to give Him money as just some sign of obedience. Will we obey or not? Almost like a test of obedience or a test of faithfulness.
Stewardship is about God drawing us into His Kingdom purpose and plan. He is allowing us to be co-workers. Stewardship in the New Testament is the idea of manager or steward. It is also the administration of the gifts God bestows in us and on us, as well as of the gospel itself. “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;” (Eph. 3:1-2).
So, yes, our stewardship includes how we manage our possessions and finances in the paying of tithes and offerings. But our stewardship does not end at the offering plate. It goes well beyond that, stretching into God’s sovereignty. We are acknowledging we do not have the right of control over any aspect of our lives. We are acknowledging that our existence is in His hands and for His purpose of making His name and glory known in all of life and upon the face of all the earth.
The heart of the question of our stewardship is not about what percentage of my income I am going to give. The heart of the question is who is going to be lord over my life. The Christian’s confession is that Jesus is Lord. Once that is established and acknowledged, then it just becomes a matter of living that out in every aspect of life.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
