Biblical Stewardship

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

When we give generously, God ensures that we receive generously. The measure we use for giving is the measure God uses in giving back to us—pressed down, shaken together, running over.

"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Jesus Himself taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. There is greater joy and blessing in generous giving than in receiving.

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

The principle of sowing and reaping applies to stewardship. Sparse giving yields sparse blessings; generous giving yields generous blessings. We reap what we sow.

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

God never forgets our labor of love shown to His people. Every act of ministry and generosity toward the saints is seen and remembered by God—He will reward it.

"But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

Doing good and sharing (communicating) with others are sacrifices that please God. Generous stewardship is worship that delights His heart.

"Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."

We are commanded to distribute to the needs of the saints and to pursue hospitality. Meeting the practical needs of God's people is a central part of Christian stewardship.

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

Each person should give as decided in their heart—not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. The attitude of the heart matters more than the amount.

"Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."

He who gives should do so with simplicity—generously, sincerely, without seeking recognition or glory. Give simply as unto the Lord, not for human praise.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Everything we do—including how we manage and distribute resources—should be done to the glory of God. Stewardship is an act of worship.

"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

The primary requirement for stewards is faithfulness. We must be trustworthy managers of what God has entrusted to us, proving reliable in both small and great things.

"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

The widow's two mites were more valuable than the large gifts of the rich, because she gave all she had. Faithfulness is measured not by amount but by sacrifice and trust in God.

"If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."

God commanded Israel not to harden their hearts against the poor, but to open their hands wide. Generous giving to those in need brings God's blessing on all our work.

"He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour."

The righteous person disperses freely and gives to the poor. This righteousness endures forever, and such generosity brings honor.

"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."

One person scatters (gives freely) and yet grows richer; another withholds and grows poor. The generous soul prospers; he who waters others will himself be watered.

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."

Cast your bread upon the waters—give freely without seeing immediate return—for you will find it again after many days. Faithful stewardship is rewarded in God's time.

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

God challenges Israel to test Him: bring the full tithe, and watch Him open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings beyond measure. Faithful giving unleashes God's abundant provision.

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

The rich are commanded: (1) Do not be proud, (2) Do not trust in uncertain riches but in God, (3) Do good and be rich in good works, (4) Be ready to distribute and share, (5) Lay up treasure for eternity. Faithful stewardship of wealth stores up eternal reward and takes hold of true life.