Stewardship Specifics
Over the past 3 weeks, we have considered how the Bible calls us to be stewards of our finances. Luke 16 and 2 Corinthians 9 have guided our reflections. These texts have also been springboards to consider other biblical discussions of wealth, resources, saving, investing, spending, giving, budgeting, and generosity. The Bible has much to say.
Please know, I have not been alone in this study. The picture above reveals just a few of the books I cracked open to help shape our brief survey on stewardship. If your interest has been piqued, I would encourage you to grab a copy of Practicing the King's Economy or Just Money and dive in.
Panoramic pictures are helpful, but what about getting down to brass tacks. We have some daily details to work out here. Should I stop for coffee? Invest in stocks? Sell my house? Give everything away? What are my next steps?
Read Psalm 112, Psalm 113, and 2 Cor 8.9. Give thanks for God's generosity towards us and his invitation to be his stewards.
Take some time to ask where your heart is in relation to God & money. Pray. Journal. Review your budget. Talk to a friend (or a pastor). Be honest with yourself.
Ask yourself what you believe you are to do with your finances. Then, check that with what we have considered from Scripture. Where are the tension points? What questions need further insight? What action or attitude do you sense the Spirit asking you to adjust?
Review your financial plans. What is your budget like? Are you living within your means? What does your budget reveal about your values? Where does generosity fit into your plans? Upon review, what adjustment might the Spirit be inviting you into?
Consider how you are participating in investing/giving funds to the church and charitable efforts. Are you living really tight? Flush? How might you give considering your current situation? How might you give in ways that are not financial? If you are not in the habit of giving, start somewhere, and form a habit that you can grow.
Ask God to give you joy in being a wise and cheerful steward. As Scott Hafemann said, "The only rule is to give freely and generously as an expression of our continuing trust in God's grace. Paul simply assumes that believers will give all they can to meet as many needs as they can in order glorify God as much as they can."
Live out your plan faithfully and get on with your life. Review your plans in 6 months or a year to see what God is doing and where he is leading.
The tenor of our stewardship is a window into our discipleship to Jesus. As Peter Kreeft once said, "God designed the whole world as a saint making machine, after all." Let's take our constant interaction with finances as a way to calibrate our lives to Christ and Christlikeness as wise, generous and cheerful stewards.
Peace
Kelly