8 Keys About Possessions And Giving - Mastering Stewardship

Stewardship affects everyone, from the giver to the receiver to the beneficiary. To be good stewards, we need to operate according to eight keys about possessions and giving:

#1 - God entrusts possessions to Christians. How we see possessions is how we will use possessions. As a result, when we act as managers (not owners!), He is free to entrust us with more possessions to accomplish His will.

#2 - God holds Christians accountable for what He entrusts to them. As a manager or steward, we are responsible for what we have been entrusted with. God expects what He gives us to multiply, and at the very least, to add.

#3 - What God gives Christians is a tool to grow His eternal Kingdom. We cannot forget that He has a purpose behind the possessions: He gives to build His Kingdom. We play an important part in advancing God's purpose when we live our lives as stewards.

#4 - What God entrusts to Christians is a test of their faithfulness to God. God tests us because He is a wise investor. If His investments come back in a multiplied state, He will entrust more into our care the next time.

#5 - How Christians give is a sign that their lives mirror Christ's values. We spend our money on whatever we consider to be the most important. As Christians, we should be putting our money in things that reflect the values we hold as Christians.

#6 - God has provided. Not only does God provide through what He entrusts to us, but He has provided eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. For both reasons, our giving reflects our gratitude. In the area of finances and stewardship, He asks for the tithe. So we pay the tithe and then give beyond that in offerings or support of charities as a statement of our gratitude.

#7 - Their attitude involves growing in an intimate faith relationship with Christ. Christians recognize that a growing relationship with Jesus Christ is always the top priority.

#8 - Giving is a worshipful and obedient act of returning to God from what has been provided. Our tithes and offerings are worshipful, obedient acts that should not be taken lightly. Because they are worship, it is paramount that what we give toward be accomplishing His will.

Everyone benefits from good stewardship - God, you, and those you bless with your giving!

By: Paul J. Meyer

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New York Times best-selling author and one of the founders of the self-improvement industry, Paul J. Meyer has helped many people become masters of stewardship. To learn more, order "Master Keys of Stewardship" today at www.pauljmeyer.com.