Not Owners, but Stewards

Most of us wouldn’t think of ourselves as rich compared to the world’s wealthiest people. Yet even Americans on the lowest rung of the economic ladder still are wealthy in comparison to the standard of living in most of the world today.

Today if you have a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in, and some form of transportation, then compared to many people around the world, you’re rich. Of course, you can enjoy what God has blessed you with. That isn’t a sin.

However, the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17 NKJV).

We’re not owners, but stewards, of what God has put into our possession. Along these lines, Paul told the believers in Philippi that their financial gift to him would result in a reward for them: “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account” (Philippians 4:17 NKJV).

Paul was saying, “When you give to me or to the ministry I’m involved in, it will result in fruit to your account. God will credit you for that.”

That’s an incredible thing for us to think about. You will leave behind whatever you have on this earth, which will be divided among your relatives or whomever you choose.

On the other hand, whatever you’ve invested in the work of God’s kingdom—every dollar you gave for ministry, every cent you contributed for the preaching of the gospel or for the support of your church—will result in spiritual fruit to your account.

So don’t put your hope in wealth. Instead, use what God has given you for good.