Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18
“God is the giver of all good gifts. His heart has always been to share His very life with us and this was perfectly demonstrated when He created a world that was designed to express His heart of generosity. This is contrary to what many people, even believers, think – that God is someone whose interest is to take away from His children and that His pleasure is to watch humans prove with their sacrifices just how much they love Him.
My role is to be a receiver of the life that God wants me to have in Jesus. I am to constantly remind myself that I am God’s beneficiary and that at no point in my life should I declare that I am a self-made man. I am to see all of the other “lesser” gifts that I have in the context of my relationship with God which is the greatest gift of all. I am to shun the notion that I can use these gifts apart from Him… My role is to be a faithful steward whose life is characterized by obedience to God’s commands regarding possessions. I am to avoid pathways that lead to idolatry, selfishness and materialism.
It is my responsibility to appropriate God’s grace in areas of my life where I have failed as a steward. It is also my role to be a beacon of hope to others who are poor – spiritually or otherwise, by becoming a conduit of God’s gifts so that people in my sphere of influence can experience through me the kind of life that Jesus offers them.”
Dean Esabillio Ferrez in “Meditation Journal #1” for my online course, Faith and Finances, in the MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management program at Asian Theological Seminary in Quezon City, near Manila, in the Philippines.
Click to learn more about Faith and Finances: A Stewardship Curriculum for Schools and Churches or to order a copy today for your church or school. Also check out the accompanying workbook I developed for individuals or small groups, Good and Faithful: Ten Stewardship Lessons for Everyday Living. Both of these resources are hot of the press from Seedbed!
Few places have experienced tragedies worse than the Philippines. They’ve had earthquakes, typhoons, and other storms wash through their islands and leave a wake of destruction. I’ve been blessed to teach a wonderful cohort of students there this month, so over the next few days, I’d like for you to hear from the hearts of a few of them.
Dean celebrates the good gifts of God and our role as stewards. His point about being a “beacon of hope” struck me. In a world filled with destruction, many blame God. Instead, Dean acknowledges all God’s gifts, our role as stewards, and specifically our responsibility to serve as beacons of hope for the poor and needy as a conduit of God’s gifts.
Father, bless Dean today as these truths take root in his heart and cause them to bear fruit in his life. Make this so in the lives of everyone reading this so that in a world filled with troubles, we can make You known as good and faithful conduits who share Your love with those who need it most. Do this by your Holy Spirit we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.