"Financial Stewardship"
Financial
Stewardship
It is essential that
we understand the importance of being responsible financial stewards over the
money that God has entrusted us with.
Sometimes, this requires us to educate ourselves in understanding
economics in order to handle money properly.
We also need to familiarize ourselves with what the word of God has to
say concerning responsible money management.
The 3 areas in which we need to familiarize ourselves with regard to our
finances are: giving, saving, and
spending.
Giving
Many times it is
taught that 10 percent of our income belongs to God and 90 percent belongs to
us. In actuality, 100 percent belongs to
God and He entrusts us to manage it properly.
We may make financial contributions to the ministry that we are a part
of. There are also times when we may give
money to other ministries or individuals.
The bible informs us in Acts 20:35 that it is more blessed to give than
to receive. The reason why it is more
blessed to give than receive is because generally in order to give, you have to
have it. On the other hand, waiting to
receive generally denotes a need.
Second Corinthians
9:7 says, so let each one give as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly
or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. However, the application of wisdom is required
when we decide to give. It is not intended
for us to give to people every time a need is expressed.
There are times when
God may be grooming someone to become better managers of their finances and He
will withhold all of their financial backing.
In those situations, we will be in conflict with God if we provide them
with any financial support. God has
given each of us a measure of financial ability and when we give, we need to
give wisely. When we are financially
blessed by God, we are blessed in order to be a blessing in the lives of
others. However, there is a difference
between blessing others and enabling others to be financially
irresponsible. If someone makes a practice
of spending their rent money on clothes, it is not for intended for us to pay
their rent in order to compensate for their irresponsibility. The money that God has blessed us with is to
help those who have a legitimate need.
Since we do not know each individual’s situation, it is important to
pray for God’s guidance so that we can have wisdom to know how to respond
whenever we are approached for money.
There have been individuals
who have paid for expensive items for others with the understanding that they would
be repaid. Some have even used their credit
to cosign for others. However, they
ended up being stiffed or left hanging by the ones they were attempting to
assist. The dishonoring of the agreement
left them rightfully angry and while they may have had a legitimate grievance
against that person, Proverbs 22:26-27 warns, “Do not be one who shakes hands in a pledge or puts up security for
debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under
you.” Also we are informed in Proverbs
17:18 that “A man devoid of understanding
shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend.” There are two reasons why an individual needs
a cosigner: 1) They simply do not have
ENOUGH credit for their purchase or 2) They have MISMANAGED their credit.
Finally, when it
comes to ministries, we understand that they function off of the monetary gifts
of people who watch, listen to or attend.
While God expects us to contribute to His multiple places of worship so
that His work will be financed, there are ministries that should be allowed to
dry up and close down. People have given
to ministries that have misrepresented themselves and that money would have
been appropriately used at other legitimate ministries. It is important to understand that America is
a free nation and a person does not have to be a repentant follower of Christ
in order to open a church, obtain a slot on television or have their voice
heard on the radio. Many people will
contribute to a national virtual ministry without checking them out but not
even support a local ministry. When it
comes to giving to various ministries, we need to seek God’s counsel as to
where our money should be given. The
use of wisdom is required even when we endeavor to display our generosity for
the kingdom’s sake.
