DEVELOPING GOOD STEWARDS - by Elaine Crossfield
Over the years Seventh-Day Adventists are reluctant to adopt a creed, in the typically sense of the word. Nevertheless, for practicality the church sees it as appropriate to compartmentalize many aspects of its belief. These beliefs usually form the basis of the church’s doctrine. One such fundamental doctrine is stewardship. Stewardship an extension of the root word steward simply means ‘property manager’. We, therefore are the property of our creator,who in turn makes us managers of his property. In the context of the church, stewardship means absolute surrender to Christ. Upon surrendering ourselves to God, He returns full charge to us, and then challenges us to reap the rewards of faithful stewards. Although many conceptualize stewardship as synonymous with finances, in essence this is the least area of accountability. Stewardship is more about the prudent and unselfish utilization of life.
Let us imagine what it would be like to be the manager of a large estate: managing its finances, coordinating public events, and feeding a large crowd. Does this sound like too much to handle? That is probably true if each project is not approached with careful planning. We must carefully manage the finances over which God has made us managers. We are to take care of the vehicles we travel in (our bodies) and participate in His Ministry. He calls us as faithful managers of the possessions and resources He provides us with and requires conscientious accounting.
Today, we as Christians are stewards in the service of the heavenly King. Our duties and obligations are to faithfully serve God and our fellow man. The tithes and offerings we return go toward the proclamation of His gospel, and to support the growth of His church. Effective stewards focus on needs, are realistic about resources, and recognize limitations.
Let us internalize the following questions:
What basic needs exist in our local church?
In what tangible ways could we meet those needs?
What limitation do we have in time, finances and workers?
How many different needs can we focus on effectively?
What tools do we need to help us manage the resources God has entrusted to us?
Do we have the resources to consistently do what we say we will do?
Are we giving liberally to the local church to build, and maintain the church’s operating cost?
Stewardship is not a choice between serving others or ourselves. Both carry the same weight. Hence, we should care as much about the local church budget as we do about tithe. Jesus asks this question: "Are you a wise and faithful servant of the Lord?" (Matt.24: 45, Luke 12:42)
My appeal is for us to give bountifully of what is given to us, and listens to pity’s call. Consequently, don’t think the little we give is great and the much we give is small. My prayer is: "Lord, when you would have return and balance our accounts, let the final reckon show a large balance in our favor." Then we will hear the sweet words "Well done, good and faithful servants." (Matt. 25:21)
