Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? Some vow to exercise more, practice a new hobby, or find a more fulfilling career. Others make a commitment to achieve financial goals. Whatever resolutions or goals you set for yourself, in many cases, the most difficult part is getting started.
What if you were to set a goal this year to develop a lifestyle where you can help your family, loved ones, and others, and as a result enjoy life more fully? We call it a lifestyle of giving.
As a society, one of the first measures we use to gauge success is the accumulation of wealth. But what if Christians measured success by biblical principles instead? In seeking to understand God’s perspective, we discover five basic concepts:
1. God is the owner of everything.
Even though we may hold the title and claim ownership of what we have gathered, we’re just holding it for a moment in time. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that the earth and all within it belongs to God. We are stewards and not owners of God’s resources, and that completely changes the way we look at what we “have.” As stewards, we desire to follow the wishes of the owner. To that end, God has set specific priorities.
2. Stewards must provide for their households.
In 1 Timothy 5, Paul emphasizes the responsibility to provide for our households. As Christians, we are to provide for family needs (not necessarily wants) as an act of faith and stewardship.
3. The basis of stewardship is work.
In Ephesians 4:28, Paul instructs the members of the church in Ephesus, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need” (NIV). In this instruction, we see that one of the purposes of Christian work is to have the ability to serve others.
As Christians, we strive to continually grow and improve at our skills and trades so that our labor will be worthy of those who pay for it. We desire that others will seek our services because of our excellence. And we aim for excellence because it honors the Lord. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Col 3:23 NIV).
4. Stewards give a percentage of what they earn as an offering.
We give to remind ourselves of God’s ownership over all things. In addition, we give to build the muscle of thinking beyond ourselves. It is part of God’s plan for the body of believers to meet the needs of His people. Jesus says when we give to those in need, we do it for Him (Matthew 25:40).
When we give, we demonstrate the genuine love of the Father. In this way, we help take the truth of the gospel into all the world.
5. Giving starts with the firstfruits.
Charitable giving isn’t just what we do with small percentages or leftover funds. It’s not just about writing a check for 10 percent of our earnings to cover an obligation of church membership. When we make giving a priority, we affirm the truth that God is the owner of everything and that He wants us to care for our families, other believers, and the world.
Understanding God’s view of wealth accumulation and stewardship brings perspective to the bounty God has entrusted to us. As we internalize that all we have is God’s gift to us, may we be transformed as generous stewards. “For God so loved . . . He gave . . .” (John 3:16 NIV).
Choosing to adopt a lifestyle of giving this year may be the most powerful resolution you make.
