Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Christian Stewardship & the Holidays


A trip into town for some incidentals reminded me that the holiday season is upon us again. The traffic is heavier and the stores are more crowded since the public has begun its relentless search for holiday bargains.

It is my prayer that the Christian mindset does not become caught up in this frenzy, really the sin of indulgence in superfluities. I am not proposing some morbid, blind, or indistinguishable blurring of the lines between necessity and luxury. Believers for the most part understand the obligation to moderation and even self-denial in our walk with Christ.

As I sat in the car while my wife shopped for some needed clothing, I thought on these things and determined to share some thoughts with you on our responsibility of stewardship. When it comes to money or possessions, where do we draw the line? The line I am referring to is the line between how much of what we “own” or have is ours and how much of what we “own” or have is God’s?

Isn’t the question really, how much of what we have does God have a right to? How much is ours, how much is His? Well, when we look to scripture we actually find that there is but one answer to this question and it is really easy to see, (although much harder to practice.)

Our property, all that we “own” is actually a trust and all that we have is to be used for the benefit and welfare of the actual owner. There is no division between what is ours and what is His. There is no line, no division, and there is certainly no percentage owed to Him or to kept by us. In other words, one hundred percent is His and is to be used for His glory.

What do you think?

3 comments:

John said...

Good post.

I've been thinking about this in relation to my children. They are really God's, not mine. Keeping that in mind should help me to be a better steward of those he has entrusted me with.

Jason Lewis said...

There is no division between what is ours and what is His. There is no line, no division, and there is certainly no percentage owed to Him or to kept by us. In other words, one hundred percent is His and is to be used for His glory.

Very well said!

Gregg Metcalf said...

Thanks you guys!