Stewardship
Stewardship is the sum total of one’s life, wealth, and gifts given as a response of faith. The Bible directs us to see all of our life as a gift to God and people. The Apostle Paul writes, "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him." Romans 12:1 (The Message) One-sixth of all the words of Jesus in the New Testament are concerned with this one subject, and over one-third of all Jesus’ parables are devoted to it. The fact is that the subject Jesus talked about more than any other was the proper use of one’s possessions.” Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord reminds His people that everything comes from His hand (Deut. 8:18; Hag. 2:8). Therefore, He asks that we give a portion of our material life to His work (Gen. 4:20; Deut. 14:22). Our stewardship must emphasize the spiritual responsibility we have toward God and each other. In the New Testament, Jesus asks us to give Him all of our lives, including our possessions. Our commitment to discipleship includes an inventory of all that we have and own. When we give all to Jesus in discipleship He will reward us with a fulfilling life and eternal rewards (Mark 10:28-30).A life truly lived for Christ and others is the only life that gratifies.