Theology 101 No. 20

Perhaps you have heard the saying, “Christians are in the world but not of the world.” We are strangers in this land, yet until our Lord calls us home, this is where we reside. As we read last week, we live out our lives in the service of God and others through the (good) works of love God has given us to do. To each God has given different means, talents, and abilities so that we might accomplish these tasks. Regardless of the size or amount of these abilities and means, one things remains clear: They are to be used to God glory.

In reality nothing we have is our own and that which has been given to us is and remains God’s. We are, in a word, stewards of God’s gifts and blessings to us. He has entrusted these things to our care and use. As stewards (who have been bought with a price) we are entrusted to carry out our day to day tasks in accordance with God’s purposes. We are to administer our whole life (every aspect) according to His will and in harmony with the spirit and ideals of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5). Our life echos in thought, word and deed St. Paul when he wrote: “For me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Stewardship properly defines the life of the Christian (Psalm 1:2; Psalm 40:8).

Since God made us to be social creatures (Genesis 2:18), our interdependence carries with it a great responsibility to each other. To every person God has assigned certain vocations and spheres of influence. Our interactions with other people are governed by the Second Table of the Law and our Lord’s command to love as He has loved us (John 13:34, 35). God has given us many specifics on how we manage our various relationships be they husband-wife, parent-children, employee-employer and so on. These vocations and spheres of influence come with certain boundaries that cannot be crosses. (More on these various vocations beginning next week).

God not only created us to be social creatures, but created us within the framework of time. How we use our time here on earth is also governed stewardship principles as our other gifts. Our days are limited(Psalm 90:12) and while we are here on this earth we will sow seeds that bear fruit, but the type of sowing is we do is important (Galatians 6:8-10). The type of sowing we do during our time on earth shows whether or not we are fulfilling God’ s purpose or our own. Being good stewards of the time God has given us takes good planning. In order to plan well one must be able to strike a good balance between the various vocations and duties God has given us. This also means a proper balance between our secular and spiritual duties (Matthew 6:33).

Our earthly labor is related to our secular duties on this earth. Man was made for labor and since the Fall into sin man has been given the task of earning his bread by the sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19). Good stewardship and a love of our fellow man dictates that we must work and be constructive to the extent of the abilities we have. God has given us the ability to work so that we might provide not only for ourselves, but for those who legitimately cannot do it for themselves. We are to come into our possessions in an honorable and God-pleasing manner and we are to use them in the same way (Proverbs 3:9). How we use our possessions is a reflection of ourselves, our values, and our God (Luke 12:15; I Peter 4:10).

As we look at the world around us we can see that there are seven major needs we have in this life. For the world to function people need food, shelter, clothing, education, business, government, recreation, and religion. God gives us our ability to work so that He might provide for these needs. It is interesting to note that nowhere in the Bible does God give specifics on what portion of our material possessions are to be given to these seven areas. The immediate necessity of certain obligations may dictate this, but regardless of an individual’s situation good judgement is to be used.

It should be noted that our faith deserves first consideration in this list because it is most basic to all other aspects of life (see the First Commandment and its meaning). Similarly, we are, as Christians, specifically charged with learning and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to use what God has given us to this most important of tasks. The bread on our tables is temporary, but the Bread of Life is eternal. And as such, we are to devote a proportionate amount of time and energy sharing with people the one thing they truly need in this life: Eternal life in Jesus Christ.