As for us who are strong, our duty is to bear with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not seek our own pleasure. Romans 15:1
“The New Testament also demands the sharing of resources. It is the duty of those who are wealthy to give generously of their wealth to those who are in conditions of physical need…Since God owns everything, since we are managers of what God has entrusted to us, and since that management exists for the good of others, then it stands to reason that God has blessed the wealthy in material items, not so that they may hoard things for themselves, but rather use that wealth to benefit those who have material needs.”
Charles R. Lane in Ask, Thank, Tell: Improving Stewardship Ministry in Your Congregation (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 2006) 41. Lane was at the gathering of LCMS stewardship leaders that I attended this week.
Here, Lane rightly echoes the Apostle Paul in reminding the wealthy that with God’s abundant provision comes a responsibility, a duty. The wealthy must share with those who are weak and with those in need.
So often, when we possess more than enough, we get sucked into thinking the toxic notion that “we earned it” or that “it is ours to do with as we please”. Nothing could be further from the biblical truth!
Lane’s quote is a great reminder as we approach Lent because one of the three areas of focus in Lent is almsgiving. Almsgiving is personal giving to the poor or needy around us. Know anyone around you in need?
Christ-followers are stewards. We are not on this earth to seek our own pleasure. We have a duty to use God-given material wealth to aid others in need. The New Testament does not suggest this. It demands it!