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Stewardship

A Steward, by definition, is a caretaker. In times of old, the Steward of a manor was one who was carefully chosen and employed by that manor’s Master to watch over and care for the Master’s property. The Steward, far from being the owner himself, is rather a trusted servant. This also is the Biblical concept of Stewardship. If we faithfully tithe, even give additional gifts, and live frugally, yet we hold onto the idea that we are the owners of anything, we have missed this vital concept. God is the owner of all, and we are His carefully appointed caretakers (Ps. 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”).

Once we grasp this vital truth, the more complicated question becomes: “How do I put this into practice?” Consider the following story:

Larry and Linda grew up in a church which taught that stewardship was giving 10%. They understood this basic concept of stewardship, and they were doing just fine with their concept until they heard a sermon that revealed that stewardship was 100%. As young Christians, they were confused.

What is stewardship – is it 10% or is it 100%?

One year they earned $20,000. They understood that a gift of 10%, or $2,000 (their tithe) is stewardship. Then they gave an additional $500 to other charitable interest that year. That was also stewardship.

Larry and Linda also read in the Scriptures that stewardship is moderation of lifestyle. That year their family budget was $15,000. After their tithe, gifts, and family budget, they had $2,500 remaining. In terms of 100% stewardship, they knew that they must be stewards over that, too.

So they took the $2,500 to their local bank. The banker assured them that a certificate of deposit, paying the highest interest allowed by law and guaranteed by an agency of the federal government, would be safe, secure, and liquid. An investment in a certificate of deposit would be good stewardship.

Just as they were ready to make their deposit in the bank, their real estate agent said, “You don’t understand stewardship. You can’t put that money in the bank and be a total steward. To be a total steward, you have to consider things like leverage. Invest you $2,500 in a $10,000 apartment house. The growth will be on the full $10,000, though you have invested only $2,500. As a bonus, you an deduct the interest and all repairs, creating a tax advantage, because the apartment house can be depreciated.”

So Larry and Linda spent the rest of the day driving up and down the street, trying to find a $10,000 apartment house.

They passed a brokerage firm. To practice 100% stewardship, they checked it out, too. Their broker told them, “If you put $2,500 in an apartment house and you need money next month, the real estate commission will wipe you out. You might have to sell at a loss, or you may not be able to sell at all. What you really need to do is invest in a mutual fund. It will grow in value, and you can market it any time you wish.”

So which scenario reflects 100 % stewardship? Are we going to be judged on whether or not we have used the greatest safety in our investment, have taken advantage of tax planning available to us, or have diversified our investments and have seen them grow? Are we going to be condemned because of an unsuccessful investment?

The answer, of course, is not a simple one, and the question itself must necessarily point us back to Scripture. There is not a prescription that may be handed out to everyone; rather there are Biblical principles which each individual or family must consider. These principles address our attitude about money and the things that we own as well as our use of them. So we must ask questions about our motivation and about our obligations. Are we driven by greed? Fear? A need for security? Are we fulfilling our obligations to our family? The Poor? The Lost?

Finally, stewardship affects not only what we do with our income and possessions now, but also how carefully we have planned for what will happen after we pass away. If we remember that God has placed these things under our care, then we must plan for that as we would plan for the care of our children.

As Scripture reminds us, “To whom much has been given, much will be expected.” (Luke 12:48)

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