The Sacrifices Of Stewardship

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

The pastor of a small Baptist church in Texas wrote to an oil millionaire, requesting a donation for his congregation’s building fund campaign. The tycoon declined, and added this to his letter of refusal: “And as for this Christianity thing, it seems to me to be nothing but give, give, give.” The pastor wrote the oilman back and thanked him for articulating the best definition of Christianity he had ever heard.

Often, when we hear the word stewardship, our minds race immediately to thoughts of money. Stewardship includes returning a portion of the financial blessings God has given us, but that doesn’t exhaust its true meaning. Genuine stewardship involves the deliberate and faithful caretaking of the Master’s resources for the furtherance of His Kingdom and His ultimate glory.

It also entails risk: the risk of loss, the risk of vulnerability, and the risk of criticism by others. But the rewards for being a faithful steward far outweigh any risk involved. Besides the joy we experience from giving of ourselves in this life, we are promised the recompense of our Lord when He says, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

It is in giving that we receive.

FRANCIS OF ASSISI