STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship
M. Jolaine Szymkowiak
Matthew 25:35- 40
A vital part of the plan for Christian Living is "to lay up treasures in Heaven" (Matthew 6:19). How is this plan for our stewardship to be accomplished? We are told in the Creation story (Genesis 1:28-30), that we are to be stewards of all we survey. And we are commanded to care for the brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. To be able to accomplish this we must exercise responsible stewardship. If we love Him, we are to love and care for the other members of His family. If, not when, we are believers in Him, we will do and feel led to do the things listed by Jesus in the above noted scripture (Matthew 25:35- 40)!
It is our responsibility to take care of the resources and the people that are around us as if through the gift of God, they are our personal possession. So how are we "to lay up treasures in Heaven?" Stewardship, therefore, is two-fold: providing for self and one's own needs, and helping others through one's gifts to the church. Christianity teaches stewardship through the care and attention to details, thrift, making do, and "each person is worthy of his hire" (Matthew 10:10). However, these should not come before treasures in heaven. John Wesley had a rule for managing money: "Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can." But is that enough?
We cannot spend vast sums on homes, travel, comfort and ease of life and forget our giving to the Church. We as Christians are expected to each pull our own weight, and then help others pull theirs. The Bible does not speak of God having patience with those who try to get without giving.
"No servant [person] can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and riches" Luke 16:13. "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever fors ...
M. Jolaine Szymkowiak
Matthew 25:35- 40
A vital part of the plan for Christian Living is "to lay up treasures in Heaven" (Matthew 6:19). How is this plan for our stewardship to be accomplished? We are told in the Creation story (Genesis 1:28-30), that we are to be stewards of all we survey. And we are commanded to care for the brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. To be able to accomplish this we must exercise responsible stewardship. If we love Him, we are to love and care for the other members of His family. If, not when, we are believers in Him, we will do and feel led to do the things listed by Jesus in the above noted scripture (Matthew 25:35- 40)!
It is our responsibility to take care of the resources and the people that are around us as if through the gift of God, they are our personal possession. So how are we "to lay up treasures in Heaven?" Stewardship, therefore, is two-fold: providing for self and one's own needs, and helping others through one's gifts to the church. Christianity teaches stewardship through the care and attention to details, thrift, making do, and "each person is worthy of his hire" (Matthew 10:10). However, these should not come before treasures in heaven. John Wesley had a rule for managing money: "Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can." But is that enough?
We cannot spend vast sums on homes, travel, comfort and ease of life and forget our giving to the Church. We as Christians are expected to each pull our own weight, and then help others pull theirs. The Bible does not speak of God having patience with those who try to get without giving.
"No servant [person] can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and riches" Luke 16:13. "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever fors ...
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