Monday, May 11, 2009

Are Wealthy Christians Bad Stewards?


Too often I hear guest speakers and financial consultants speak of wealth as if prosperity is the epitome of materialism. Money is not evil; the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Prosperity is not an indicator for stewardship. Socioeconomics should not be how stewardship is judged—stewardship should never be judged. If wealth is used as an indicator for stewardship, what is an acceptable standard? How poor is poor enough? Only God knows the heart; that is the indicator.

 

 No matter where a person is economically, God knows the heart and the heart is what God desires. He desires all Christians be conduits of blessing and not containers. Throughout scripture God provided prosperity to individuals who were obedient to His word and conduits of blessing: Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, etc. Those fathers of the faith were entrusted with wealth as tools for the kingdom. Can anyone say their wealth was an example of poor stewardship? Would any Christian today accuse those fathers of the faith of poor stewardship?

 

God provides the opportunity of wealth to every person. However the definition of wealth is relative. If your definition of wealth is lots of money and a lot of new things, then financial wealth may become an idol—just as wealth of family and friends may become an idol for others. A Christian’s desire for wealth should be in relationship with and for Jesus Christ and not focused on the material wealth of other. I am responsible and accountable for my obedience to God. I am accountable for my obedience and honor to God. What others do with God’s provision for their life is between them and God. Rather than looking at (judging) others stewardship, Christian should focus on their direct personal relationship and accountability to God. You know the old saying, “Don’t point; there are four fingers pointing back at you.”   

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