Today’s blog is the first of a series focusing on Generosity and Stewardship. The two featured topics are undoubtedly linked yet vary slightly. Both contribute greatly to a meaningful, life-giving, and successful financial plan. I count it a privilege to “set the table” for the next several weeks of thoughts on two topics that we are very passionate about.
Let’s first look at the topic of stewardship. Simply put, stewardship is taking care of resources and managing well what has been entrusted to us. This can apply to most areas of our lives regardless of personal beliefs or values. From a biblical world view, it’s knowing and understanding that God owns it all. He has appointed each one of us to act as the treasurer, or CFO, of the resources under our care. While this is a tremendous responsibility, it’s also very freeing. His Word gives us a clear job description; we just need to act in obedience in order to fulfill his plans and purposes.
Generosity can be best described as living life with open hands. Our focus has shifted to how we can help and bless others, rather than making our personal consumption a priority. Generosity means living life as a giver, not a taker, and it also produces the wonderful attributes of joy and contentment in our lives. At Master’s, we have personally experienced this truth and witnessed it in many of your lives, as well.
We look forward to you sharing your thoughts and feedback with us over the next several weeks. For now, I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes that applies so well to this series.
To be smart, spend carefully.
To be wise, save regularly.
To be genius, give extravagantly.
-Chip Ingram, Author & Pastor
