Sunday 20 February 2011

Biblical Stewardship Principles fir the believer

I read these this week and was stirred in my heart as I reflect on my giving to God and his kingdom.

1. God, the creator (Genesis 1) and sustainer of all things (Colossians 1:17) and the One "who works within us to accomplish far more than we can ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20), is a God of infinite abundance (Psalm 50:10-11) and grace (2 Corinthians 9:8).

2. Acknowledging the primacy of the Gospel (Romans 1:16) as our chief treasure (Matthew 13:44), Christians are called to lives of stewardship, as managers of all that God has entrusted to them (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

3. A Christian's attitude toward possessions on earth is important to God (Matthew 6:24), and there is a vital link between how they utilize earthly possessions (as investments in God's kingdom) and the eternal rewards that they will receive (Philippians 4:17).

4. God entrusts possessions to Christians and holds them accountable for their use, as a tool to grow his eternal kingdom, as a test of the believer's faithfulness to God, and as a trademark that their lives reflect Christ's values (Luke 16:1-9).

5. From God's abounding grace, Christians' giving reflects their gratitude for what God has provided and involves growing in an intimate faith relationship with Christ as Lord of their lives (Mark 12:41-44).

6. Because giving is a worshipful, obedient act of returning to God from what has been provided (1 Chronicles 29:10-14), Christian fundraisers should hold a conviction that, in partnership with the church, they have an important role in the spiritual maturation of believers (James 3:1).

7. The primary role of Christian fundraisers is to advance and facilitate a believer's faith in and worship of God through a Christ-centered understanding of stewardship that is solidly grounded on Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).

8. Recognizing it is the work of the Holy Spirit that prompts Christians to give (2 Corinthians 9:5-7, Nehemiah 1:4-11)

9. An eternal, God-centered worldview promotes cooperation places the giver's relationship to God above all else. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

When these principles are implemented, that rely on God changing hearts more than on human methods, the resulting joy-filled generosity of believers will fully fund God's work here on earth (Exodus 36:6-7).

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