Faithful Stewardship

The other day I read that consumers spent over $35 billion online between Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Was any of that money yours? I've also heard that stores and malls are crowded with shoppers. Clearly the holiday rush is on! And I thought we were in an economic downturn?

As we enter the Christmas season and think about all that we need to do, including the shopping and gift-giving, I am reminded of our identity as God's stewards. That everything belongs to the Lord. He is the ultimate owner. He says in Psalm 50:10, "every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills." That's like saying all the money, products, and resources in every store, mall, and stand are His. He owns it all. But, in His wisdom, He entrusts us with a portion of these things; not just money and resources but our time and energy as well.

We are thankful for these things but we are to manage them wisely. 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." What an honor to be given a trust by the Lord. But it comes with a responsibility to use what He has passed on to us to do His will and share His love. This, of course, is our charge as Christians at all times, not just the holidays. But what better time than the season of Jesus' birth! We are blessed to be His stewards. As His stewards, we belong to Him, place Him first in our lives, share in His mission, and He covers us with His grace and mercy. Beyond the shopping and gift-giving this year, may our Christmas be one of faithful stewardship to our Lord and Savior.

God bless,
Pastor Darren