Coffee With The Lord

Here’s a bit of a different “Coffee with the Lord” post today… The subject? “Fiscal responsibility” or “stewardship” – the responsibility of followers of Christ regarding the management of the resources they have (property, capital, investments, and personal finances) in a God-honoring way.

What prompted a reflection on “fiscal responsibility” or “stewardship” you ask? Reading the parable of Jesus entitled the “Dishonest Manager” found in Luke 16:1-13. (I urge you to take a few minutes and read it and reflect on teaching Jesus provided there.)

Here’s what Jesus said after giving the parable…

“…The sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (From Luke 16:8–13 ESV)

Hey, the wisdom and skill with which we handle the resources God has given us and allowed us to have matters! Everything we possess comes from Him (cp. Psalm 24:1) God expects us to be “wise stewards” of those resources – all of them! We are accountable – not to a “dishonest manager,” but to a loving, holy God!

After reading Luke 16:1-13 today during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I jotted this in the margin of my Bible…

“EVERY FOLLOWER OF JESUS NEEDS TO LEARN TO BE A WISE STEWARD OF THEIR MATERIAL RESOURCES!”

Now think about that! Rich or poor, plenty or lacking, privileged or underprivileged – we are accountable as stewards for what we have been granted. Personally, before God, I must demonstrate wise stewardship. I must not only sustain (or keep) what I have been granted – I must seek to invest it and increase it “for the glory of God” and the benefit of God’s kingdom. And I would add that the “Church” has a responsibility to teach “wise stewardship” and effective “fiscal management” to those who are seeking to follow Jesus.

Believe me, I want to hear my Lord speak these words to me personally: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master!’ (Matthew 25:21 & 23)