Stewardship...the flip-side of the teaching on Giving...

Many pastors preach about how you oughta give, give, give 'to the Kingdom', but very few people teach about how you should be a good steward with your finances.

I wonder if it's because good stewardship involves more effort on your part than just giving...and many of us are lazy by default, and shy away from anything that involves work or effort if possible.

I'm tired of watching Christian TV cos most of it seems to be appeals for money, money, money. Very few people are teaching you how to manage your finances - they just teach you to part with them. That ain't right. It's not balanced teaching.

It's true that if you're a consistent giver you won't go hungry or get poor, but it's also true that if you're not a good steward of your resources (finances, etc), you won't prosper or excel in life. Giving in the context of good stewardship is what brings about great rewards. But if you give in the context of poor stewardship, you're not only unwise, but are on a self-destruct mission.

If you are irresponsible with your finances, no responsible Father will reward or prosper you by giving you more finances, people!

So the teaching about giving must be balanced with the teaching on good Stewardship.

Wake up, Church!

Quit thinking that giving is a get-rich-quick scheme, and quit listening to preachers who make it appear to be so. Search the Scriptures for yourself and you will discover the whole counsel of God in this matter.

Stop this madness of taking one tiny part of Scripture and going crazy with it, while all the time neglecting the rest of the Word.

Educate yourself on good financial stewardship (some people call this 'financial intelligence').

Don't just swallow up everything your pastor says - be like the noble Berean Christians, and ALWAYS search the Scriptures for yourself to make sure what he's said is the Truth.

Don't get suckered into giving if  you are not also being taught the wisdom of being a good steward in the first place.

God is not mocked: you will reap what you sow. If you sow bad Stewardship, even the little you think you have will be taken from you.

Here are a few tips to get you started on good stewardship: for every income you receive...
-- Pay God first (tithe is the minimum to get you into the habit of giving...)
-- Pay yourself 10%
-- Pay your taxes and everyone else.
-- Live within your means on the rest...

If you're in debt, then add to that list 'Put aside 10% each month for paying off debts' - then begin paying them off and stop doing things that drive you right back into debt - that's bad stewardship.

If you desire to see an improvement in your finances, you've got to manage your money wisely, be a good steward of your finances. Seek advice from a professional financial advisor if need be, but for goodness sake, step up! Handle your finances wisely!

And have a prosperous New Year!