Stewardship

Dear Weekly Readers!

This week we will feature an article written by a great missionary that many of you know, Alvar Helmes! Please enjoy!

May God Bless your week!

Stewardship

The word "stewardship" is derived from the word "steward." The dictionary definition of "steward" is: a person morally responsible for the careful use of money, time, talents, and resources, especially with respect to the principles or needs of a community or group.

This word has regularly been used in Christian circles (and with good reason) referencing how we should be good stewards of our money, time, talents, and resources in serving the Lord. As a group of churches, we must collectively be good stewards of these gifts from God. The time, talents, and resources perhaps are easier to understand and carry out than the issue of money.

Time: God created time and we are stewards of it; this is the most precious resource we have. We need to order our time according to God's purposes and values, or redeem the time wisely as Ephesians 5:15-16 says: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

We can all understand how time impacts us and how easy it is to waste the time that God has allotted to us. Too often we find ourselves involved in pursuits that are not beneficial to the kingdom of God here on earth, or to our wellbeing. Of course we need time for relaxation and exercise that is beneficial to us, and we spend time caring for and supporting our families and maintaining our homes, but we can all, I'm sure, think of incidents in our lives when we have later thought that what we did was surely a surely a waste of time, and more beneficial things could have been done.

Talents: The talents we possess have been given to also be used for His kingdom. The talents have not been given to us equally, but no matter what talent God has given us, it should be used for His glory. It doesn't matter if our talents are used on simple tasks or on more complicated ones. They are to somehow be used in the furtherance of the kingdom of God according to the abilities and capabilities given to us. It is for each one of us to be aware of the talents that we have and to use them beneficially in His work here on earth. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Resources: In addition to the resource of time, God has also given us other resources to draw upon in this life. These could be things that lie ready for use or can be drawn upon in time of need. We also have what are commonly known as "inner resources" that provide a source of strength or ability within ourselves, sometimes beyond what we thought we even possessed. It is something we turn to in critical times of need, praying to seek from Him as written in Ephesians 3:20-21: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Money: And finally we come to the issue of money, which is the most difficult to deal with. Somehow it hits a sensitive spot with us when it is discussed as a need in the church so that God's work can be carried on. We can think that whatever money we have earned is ours to do with as we please—we worked hard for it; therefore, we'll spend it as we wish. But this is not the biblical expression of the use of money.

In the Old Testament, the Jews were obligated to give the firstfruits of their labor (literally their money) to the priest in the temple (house of the Lord). It is commonly thought that this amounted to ten percent.

The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. (Exodus 23:19)

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase. (Proverbs 3:9)

The firstfruits in the biblical sense of the Old Testament is the first produce, the first receipts of labor, the first income that one receives in the year. It is the fruit of our labor before it is committed or applied elsewhere. In other words, giving financially to the Lord's work should be the first item considered. In a sense, the firstfruits can be considered to be a form of tithing.

The New Testament is silent on the amount of tithes that a Christian should be giving to the church. Romans 12:8 says ...he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity (or liberally). In other words, giving should be done willingly, not grudgingly.

Giving to the Lord's work should be done thankfully, always considering the blessings that God has bestowed on our lives.

The biggest "giver" of blessings was God Himself. John 3:16 reads: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son...

Where would we be today without the gift of the Son? Where would we go for consolation when needed? Where would we go for help in our trials and temptations? The true Christian values God and His Word above all things. We express that value by bringing the fruit of our labor, whether it's called firstfruits or tithe, to the Lord.

...He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

Alvar Helmes
Battle Ground, Washington