Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28
“Dr. E. Stanley Jones, on of my spiritual mentors used to say: ‘A road that perhaps more than any other leads to self-atrophy is undedicated money.’ So if you haven’t done so, then consider transferring your possessions and money over to Him today. When you let go of your possessions and let God have them, then life takes on a sense of stewardship. It really does.
Perhaps a question we ought to ask our selves before going any further is this: who owns my possessions, does God or do I? Whether we acknowledge it or not we are only in possession of our possessions for a brief period. If in reality we don’t own our possessions then the obvious thing is to acknowledge this in a prayer to God.
Have the sense to stay to Him,’I am not the owner. I am the ower.’ A businessman once said, ‘I’ve prospered in my business; now my task is to know who much I can keep for my own use.’ That’s the right order. How much can I keep for myself? For everything I needlessly spend on myself is taken from some other person’s need.”
Selwyn Hughes (1928-2006) in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 24-25.
Today I am facilitating a conference at Camp Spofford in Hew Hampshire on Faith and Work in God’s Economy with ministers and marketplace leaders. The fruit of our labor as followers of Christ must be dedicated back to One who purchased us with His blood on the cross (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
As we journey through Lent, we gain a new perspective on the fruit of our work: money. It’s neither ours nor something to be stewarded selfishly on needless expenditures. Biblically speaking, such stewards are squandering and stealing. What should we do? Dedicate the money we possess back to God.
Father in heaven, I dedicate all the money I possess to You. Thank You for purchasing me with Your blood on the cross and for entrusting me with resources to steward for Your purposes. Guide me by Your Holy Spirit to know how much to keep for myself. Help me I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.