What We Believe

A Biblical Perspective on Our Role as Stewards of God's Creation:

God is the Creator, Owner, Sustainer, and Redeemer of all.

In the beginning God created the heavens and earth. The earth is the Lord’s. He sustains and cares for all that He has made. God will restore what He made. (Gen 1:1,2; Hag 2:8; Psa 24:1; Col 1:17).

The earth is cursed but redeemable.

All that God created is good. The earth is intended to bring glory to God and to provide resources for human need, creativity, pleasure, and productivity. However, the physical world is fallen and cursed and must be actively brought under the lordship of Christ. Fallen man has a tendency to worship the creation rather than its Creator (Rom 1:25). The physical world is redeemable by God. (Gen 1-3; Psa 104:14; Matt 6:33; 1 Tim 4:4; 2 Pet 2:6; 2 Pet 3:12; 1 Cor 15; Rom 8)

Man is God’s steward called to loving relationship and faithfulness.

Man’s commission is to be fruitful and have dominion over the earth. He has been called into a loving relationship with God. As His sons and daughters, our role is faithful stewardship as we join Him in the work of reconciling all things. (Gen 1:28-30; Matt 6:24; Matt 28:18-20; Luke 10:27; Jer 9:23; Luke 14:26-33; 1 Tim 6:10; 1 Tim 6:17-19; 1 John 4:19)

The Eight Actions of Practical Stewardship:

Caretaking

(Deut 8:18; 1Co 4:1,2; Luke 12:15)

The diligent caretaker uses and takes responsibility for God-given resources. God calls His stewards to be diligent and dedicated with use of their time, talents, and possessions. They protect and utilize resources that God has placed in their care. While they may hold legal title to property, they affirm that it is God’s and is to be used for His purposes.

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A caretaker, or steward, is one who has been given responsibility to manage assets that are not his own. Some stewards may be called to own land, manage businesses, or maintain other property. It is their task to care for these resources as God, the Owner, would desire (Luke 16:10-12).

God desires that His stewards be diligent and attentive as they use His resources (Prov 27:23). God does not intend for His possessions to sit idle, but rather to be productive. It is the caretaker’s responsibility to utilize items within his care (Matt 25:14-30). God also desires that we make good use of the time and the various natural abilities He has given us.

All “our” possessions, time, and natural abilities are to be used to bless God’s Kingdom on earth. A faithful steward is one who diligently ensures that the resources within his control are not primarily being used for his own pleasure, but for the good of the Kingdom of God (1 Tim 6:18). A steward understands that he will ultimately give an account of his stewardship (Rom. 14:12).

Producing & Providing

(Gen 1, 2; 1 Chron 29:12; Prov 27:23; Luke 14:28; Eph 4:28; Prov 20:7; 1 Tim 5:8, 2 Thess 3:6-14)

The faithful steward diligently labors with his God-given abilities and resources to bless the Kingdom. He works to provide food and raiment for his family, with an overarching desire to share with others in need.

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The faithful steward is industrious, knowing that everything within his care has been given to him for a purpose. He recognizes that God is the Owner of his abilities and assets and diligently labors with a purpose beyond the production and accumulation of material goods (1 Tim 6:17-18).

He understands that God intends part of the fruit of his labors to be used to sustain himself, his family, and other dependents God may have placed in his care, such as parents and extended family (1 Tim 5:8).

The faithful steward is driven, not only because he will someday give an account of his stewardship, but also because he has a deep, loving relationship with God. All that he has been given is undeserved and unearned, and he passionately desires to bless the Lord with these abilities and possessions. He intentionally works and produces with an overarching desire to assist those in need and bless the Kingdom of God (Eph 4:28).

Giving

(Matt 5:42; Mark 12:43–44; Luke 16:13; Acts 20:35; Rom 12:8; 2 Cor 8, 9; 1 Tim 6:17-19; Eph 4:28)

The cheerful giver is generous, giving with a grateful heart, a cheerful spirit, and the acknowledgment that all he has is a gift from God.

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The cheerful giver willingly shares with others the resources God has placed under his care. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Act 20:35).

The cheerful giver experiences joy in providing for and working with those in need. Because he knows that true riches are eternal riches, he delights in laying up treasures in the Kingdom of Heaven.

By giving generously to meet the needs of others, the cheerful giver demonstrates that money is not his master. He does not give as an afterthought, or from only a small portion of his abundance. Rather, sacrificial giving is an integral part of his life. He seeks to obey Scriptural commands and the Spirit’s guidance in giving. He purposefully gives in ways that provide the greatest benefit to others without creating dependence.

Contentment

(Gen 2:2, 3; Gen 3:8; Ex 20:8-11; Mar 8:36; 1Ti 6:6-8; Heb 13:5)

The contented child of God has learned to enjoy the daily, weekly, and seasonal cycles of life, and is content in both times of work and times of rest. He is not driven by the endless pursuit of producing and acquiring goods, but lives with an awareness of receiving God’s provision. In spending his time and energy, he maintains a proper balance between relationships with God and man, and the acquisition of material goods.

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Contentment provides the environment in which relationships take precedence over doing things and acquiring things. The contented child of God thrives in his relationship with God as he participates in both private and public worship events. He understands that rest and renewal are important, enabling him to do his best during times of work. Through the God-ordained cycle of daily work and rest, the weekly Lord’s Day celebration, and the annual remembrance of spiritual events, the contented child of God offers thanksgiving and finds renewal and refreshment.

The contented steward recognizes that everything he holds has been provided by the gracious hand of God. He holds material resources with an open hand, and places a high value on relationships with God, his family, and the local church brotherhood.

Contentment does not hold to the materialistic and capitalistic mindset of the western world. It is not driven by the endless desire to have just a little more. The contented person rests and finds contentment with such things as he has.

Neither does contentment hold to the ascetic mindset of the eastern world. The contented steward is not drawn into a lifestyle of minimalism, apathy, or laziness. He has a vision for doing all he can to further God’s purposes in the world, to be productive, and to provide spiritual and material resources for others. He recognizes that he produces or acquires not only for his own use, but to share with others.

Saving and Investing

(Prov 6:6-8; Prov 21:20; Luke 12:16-34; 1 Cor 16:2; Eph 4:28; Matt 6:19-21; Jam 4:13-15)

The faithful steward looks ahead, identifies potential future needs, and plans for them by saving. He trusts God as he invests in opportunities to provide for his needs and increase his capacity to give as he invests. He understands it is a sin to hoard assets in fear of poverty, in lust for luxurious living, or in desire for prestigious status in society. He also understands that God may call him to dispose of everything under his control for the sake of the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:18-22; Mark 12:41-44).

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Saving is not unspiritual nor a lack of faith if done for the right reasons. Saving for potential future needs can help avoid the need to use credit. It can also provide during lean times such as winter and old age, and can enable generous giving at appropriate times (1 Cor 16:2). Our savings, like all our assets, are at God’s disposal.

The prudent investor makes resources available to those needing capital. He invests with a vision for blessing the Kingdom of God, assisting others, or accomplishing a godly purpose or goal. The prudent investor manages risk appropriately (Luke 14:28-32). His security does not lie in earthly wealth (Luke 12:15). He recognizes God’s sovereignty and says, “if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (Jam 4:13-15).

Borrowing

(Ex 22:14; Neh 5:2-5; Psa 37:21; Pro 22:7; Luke 14:28)

The faithful steward understands biblical warnings regarding borrowing, lending, and cosigning. He also recognizes the community can be blessed by making resources available through borrowing and lending.

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The faithful steward plans ahead while seeking God’s direction (Luke 14:28). Before borrowing, he carefully evaluates the amount of collateral, potential for appreciation in value, and the probability of generating sufficient income from the assets. He avoids borrowing for consumable lifestyle expenses and repays debt as soon as possible to free himself to serve in God’s Kingdom. He recognizes that while borrowing may be financially justifiable, it may not always serve his best spiritual interests.

The Scriptures teach that a lender should not misuse or take advantage of the poor. However, if done prudently, extending the use of capital to one another can infuse grace and empower others with opportunity. Debt creates a servant/master responsibility that can strain brotherhood relationships. Debt can lead to and also mask financial mismanagement and materialism. (Psa 112:5; Matt 5:42; Luke 6:34-35; Prov 22:7)

Scripture warns strongly against casual cosigning, condemning it as unwise (Pro 17:18). It encourages cosigners to free themselves of this bondage as soon as possible (Prov 6:1-5). Cosigning should be offered only if the cosigner has the ability to repay the loan should the borrower default, and acknowledges willingness to forgive the debt as a gift (Prov 22:26-27; Luke 6:35). Consigning should be an expression of brotherhood and should be done only when it provides spiritual blessing to the borrower.

Mutual Aid

(Neh 2-6; John 13:12-17; Acts 2:44-46; Acts 6:1-6; 2 Cor 8:8-15; 2 Cor 9:7; Phm 2:4; Gal 6:2)

The caring servant joyfully participates in the voluntary community of goods that provides mutual assistance in times of hardship and loss. Mutual aid is brotherhood sharing that responds to each other’s need with time, goods, or financial resources.

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The caring servant recognizes that there will be times of plenty and times of need. As in the early church, mutual aid is not compulsory, but is a voluntary participation in sharing the community of goods. The heart of mutual aid within the brotherhood is expressed in the statement, “When you need it, I will share with you what God has given me.”

Christian mutual aid is a collaborative way brothers bear each other’s burdens, thus fulfilling the law of Christ. Deacons provide a vital role in mutual aid by providing accountability, equitable distribution, and teaching on stewardship. Mutual aid calls for both generous giving and humble receiving in time of need.

Inheritance

(Ezra 9:12; Prov 13:22; Heb 11:8; 1 Pet 1:3-5)

The faithful steward prayerfully plans for the end of his life and provides direction for using his assets to fund God’s Kingdom and care for his dependents. He must determine whether the recipients have the spiritual wisdom and maturity to use the assets as God desires.

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The faithful steward who gives an inheritance plans for this event. He understands he is transferring assets, received from God, which he can no longer care for or no longer needs for his own provision. His primary motive is the spiritual welfare of his children and supporting the work of God’s Kingdom.

The faithful heir receives an inheritance as a blessing from God, and exercises faithful stewardship of both the material assets and spiritual wisdom received. Faithful children understand it is their sacred duty to love and care for their parents.

Both parents and children act out of love, acknowledge God’s provision, and use the inheritance to support the work of God’s Kingdom, thus laying up treasure in heaven.