Counsels on Church Life

Counsel #21 — Stewardship

Picture: Counsel #21 — Stewardship CCL 31.1

God is the ultimate Owner of everything, and we're His managers! He's entrusted us with amazing things — our time, talents, resources, the whole planet basically. Stewardship is an awesome responsibility to use these gifts wisely. It's not about us hoarding or collecting more stuff; it's about honoring God through faithful service. This includes serving others, supporting the church with tithes and offerings, and finding ways to spread the good news about Jesus and salvation. CCL 31.2

Think of stewardship as a privilege, not a chore. By being good stewards, we overcome selfishness and greed. Best of all, we get to see God bless others because of our faithfulness. It's a win-win!^[43] CCL 31.3

““Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:8-10 NKJV CCL 31.4

“Faithful stewards, who wisely use the goods which God has entrusted to them to advance the truth and bless suffering humanity, will be rewarded for so doing.” Ellen White in From the Heart, p. 73 CCL 31.5

Reflect: How can you challenge the culture of consumerism in your own life? CCL 31.6