Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES
 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
v. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
                In a broad sense stewardship is managing the affairs of another person for their benefit. The affairs include property, money, matters related to health, and other resources. Stewards are not the owners of the resources they manage. A steward speaks and works on behalf of the owner.
                From a Christian perspective borrowing the definition from Wikipedia, stewardship is "Utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation." The basic tenet of stewardship is that the ultimate owner of all resources is God. As the psalmist puts it [Psalm 24:1a]: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” This implies that God's ownership is not only on the resources but also on us – the stewards.
                Thus, whatever resources we have, are entrusted to us from God to take care of them and use them accepting His sovereignty. When I feel that my possessions are the result of my hard work; my success is something I deserve; and so on, then I am taking the ownership on myself instead of leaving it to God. Then it is up to me to decide what I do with what I have; and I am digressing from godly perspective of stewardship. The resources entrusted to us include our abilities, possessions, the earth, time and the Gospel truth. We are to use them in ways that honor God and for the good of others and the environment, while we use for our needs. Good stewardship leads us to achieve our life's purpose that God intends.
                In my Bible (AMP) today's passage is under the heading: “Great Generosity.” Generous giving is listed as one of the spiritual gifts in Romans 12:8. Thus, generosity is an important component of stewardship. Giving needs to be according to one’s ability and beyond (v.3). Generous giving happens even in poverty (v.2). Generous giving is an act of grace (v.7) and also an act of love (v.8). In Jesus Christ we see the prime example of sacrificial giving out of love to save the world – that includes each of us – from the curse of sin (v.9). As followers of Christ we are to follow His model as stewards out of our love to God and to our fellow human beings.

PRAYER
Dear Father, Thank you for your Word given to direct our lives. Help us to be faithful stewards so that we would be worthy of your commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:21). Where are you heading to?

Prof. Dr. Thomas Philip, Orlando Mar Thoma Church, FL.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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