Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11
While most Daily Meditations seek to inspire you, some aim at equipping you. Over the next few days, my posts will fall into that latter category. Here’s the introduction and a few comments from a resource that might aid your stewardship ministry.
“Many people are surprised that almost eight percent of the Bible is about money and possessions. Man’s economy has a chequered history with the end of the last decade seeing an almost collapse of the global financial system.
God’s economy however cannot fail and reviewing, studying and reflecting on God’s Word will provide you with insight, not just into the handling of money and possessions, but also the attitudes that influence what we spend.
We invite you to examine carefully the 2,350 passages, searching the Scriptures like the Bereans, to see whether these words are true (Acts 17:11). The best way to check our heart’s attitude regarding material possessions is to allow all the principles of God’s Word to penetrate our innermost being (Hebrews 4:12).
This book should be judged not in the light of prevailing opinion, but in the light of God’s Word. We trust you enjoy looking up and exploring for yourself what the Bible is saying to you and that it will inspire, empower and equip you on the subject of money and possessions.”
Mark Lloydbottom in Foundation Truth on Money and Possessions: Consider the Source. Read, Listen and Reflect on the Biblical Truth (Your Money Counts: UK, 2016). Click to download this PDF resource freely.
Lloydbottom is passionate about helping stewards understand biblical truth. I suggest it serves as a great resource to be used in at least three ways.
(1) Personal Study – If you have not taken time to explore how the Bible is our blueprint for living, giving, serving, and loving, download this free and go through the verses section by section.
(2) Church Small Group – My favorite small groups are the ones in which we simply read Scripture together and discuss the implications for the Christian life and possible applications. Use this PDF in that way.
(3) Academic Resource – This serves as a “stewardship concordance” of sorts. Any stewardship students would benefit from it when doing assignments about the various facets of holistic Christian stewardship.
Lloydbottom ends the introduction with this quote by A.W. Tozer: “Listen to no man who has not listened to God.” His advice, and it’s sound counsel, is to see what God thinks about stewardship rather than listen to the world’s messages. Do this to prepare to give an account for your own stewardship and for helping others as well.