Each November at Faith Church, we focus on the concept of stewardship. God has given us many things – our family, finances, faith, occupation, you name it! He has entrusted His people with much, and His desire is that we use those blessings and resources in a way that honors Him and builds His kingdom. When we truly understand that this is the will of God and choose to live by it, we will be blessed beyond measure with all the spiritual richness of living an honoring life to the Lord.
Since stewardship is the focus of this time of year at Faith Church, we like to emphasize it in our blogs as well. This year, we will place special emphasis on the ways Vision of Hope seeks to fulfill our call to be good stewards, and how YOU can be a part of this stewardship as well.
At Faith Church, we are taught 4 Key Principles of Stewardship:
- God owns everything, you own nothing.
- God entrusts you with everything you have.
- You can either increase or diminish what God has given you; God wants you to increase it.
- You can be called into account at any time, and it may be today.
Today, let’s focus just on the first of these principles, and see how we can accomplish God’s purpose of stewardship today.
God owns everything, you own nothing. How different our lives would be if we all truly believed that statement. Much less worry, anxiety, and clamoring for more would be going on in this world for sure.
Because we know that God owns everything, we don’t have to scramble for the things we believe we lack, or be worried we will lose some part of our possessions – it’s not ours anyway! The Creator of the ends of the earth holds it all in His hands, and He is always good. Therefore, we can trust Him to take care of us and of the things we need, and rest in His marvelous peace, knowing that the burden is all on Him.
This concept also humbles us. At Vision of Hope, we are blessed with a beautiful home, comfortable furniture, quality clothing that has been donated for residents in need; but we cannot boast in these things or seek to hoard them for our own personal use, because they are not ours. God has blessed us with them for the use of furthering His kingdom, but they are ultimately His and we cannot become prideful in them.
Jeremiah 9:23-25 states, Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Let us always rejoice and boast in the Lord and Who He is, not in our own possessions.
We hope you will be impacted by this reminder as we are. One thing we ask you to consider: how are you using your resources – money and possessions – to further God’s Kingdom? Have you been living as though you own these things, or are you believing and living by the truth that only God owns them?
One way to start living as a good steward is to give financially to further God’s Kingdom. Giving out of faith puts you in a position of humble trust and obedient to God, and is a wonderful way to use what is already God’s in a way that brings honor to His name.
If you would like the opportunity to use your financial resources to further His kingdom, please prayerfully consider donating to Vision of Hope. Find out more here.