by Brad Jolly

Last week we looked at how God wants us to be stewards of our time.  Since we have been redeemed by Christ, He has now called us to be on mission for His kingdom, and that means He is asking us to submit to Him all of our resources (time, possessions, and our lives overall).

This week we are going to examine what it means for us to be stewards of the possessions God has given us.  Now, we’re not talking strictly of money alone, but money is the financial tool we use primarily to buy, sell, invest, etc. in this world each day.

What do we mean by possessions?  That would simply be our money, and all the things we use money to buy.  Where do these possessions come from?  The Bible tells us in James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

God has asked for us to steward these possessions He has given us and use them to meet others needs and be a blessing to them.  To determine how we should give of our resources, the apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 8:5,

“They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.”

The key is submitting, or giving ourselves, to the Lord first.  Once we have done this, our hearts will be aligned to God’s heart to give as He desires.  He knows the needs, and He wants to use us and our possessions to be a part of His work.

One of our hesitations in giving as we should is that we look at the limitations of how much we have rather than the ability of God to use what He has given us to do more than we can see.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  2 Corinthians 9:8

God is able to bless us to meet the needs of others.  We do not have to limit our ability to give based on our current situation.  Instead, give what you already have to be fully used by God and watch Him work in your life to do more than you can imagine.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20

Prayer:

Father, you have given us all that we have, and we want you to freely use us and all that we have for your purposes.  Lord, we tend to want to hold on to what we have, looking at it in limited amounts.  But you are a God of abundance and can supply us abundantly to meet the needs of others.  Thank you for including us in your work!  Help us submit ourselves and what we have to you today and trust you for what we need and what you are asking to give to you.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.