Money is power. It has power greatly to extend one’s opportunities, influence, and fruitfulness. With equal truth it may be said to multiply one’s responsibilities. Certainly its possession and use increase one’s dangers spiritually.
The Scriptures present amazing contrasts according to an individual’s use of this possession common to all! It may be: “filthy lucre” (1 Tim. 3:3; 1 Pet. 5:2); “the mammon of unrighteousness” (Lk. 16:9); “treasure heaped for the last days” (Jas. 5:3); “gold and silver can- kered” (Jas. 5:3); “riches corrupted” (Jas. 5:2); “treasure, laid up for self” (Lk. 12:21); “gold that perisheth” (1 Pet. 1:7); “uncertain riches” (1 Tim. 6:17). Or it may be: “the grace of God in you” (2 Cor. 9:13-14); “the fruit of righteousness” (2 Cor. 9:10); “treasure laid up in heaven” (Mt. 6:20); gold and silver transmuted into Bibles, books, tracts, and even the sons of men (Lk. 16:9); riches increased (2 Cor. 8:2); “rich toward God” (Lk. 12:21); fruit that abounds (Phil. 4:17) “the true riches” (Lk. 16:11).
Does the question of stewardship arise in this matter? Some may consider that there is no question of accountability. “This money is mine, I have earned it; this house, these goods, are my possessions. I bought them.” But let us ask ourselves to whom we belong. “Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
We dare not say, as Moses feared Israel would, “My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth” (Deut. 8:17), as though they could then regard it as being theirs. After all, God gave us the opportunity and capacity to earn it and any moment it may fall from our lifeless hands. Our money and possessions are not inalienably ours. We are but trustees to hold and use them for God. Let us realize His absolute ownership of us and then we shall recognize the duty of stewardship. It was thus with the Macedonian believers, for of them Paul says the gift of money was preceded by a dedication of themselves. They “first gave their own selves to the Lord” (2 Cor. 8:5). They made the greater gift first and thus it became possible, even easy, to make the lesser gift afterwards.
In our Lord’s teaching there are many references to money. The idea of stewardship is prominent. Thus He declares that the ideal steward is one who is faithful and wise (Luke 12:42).
How may this stewardship be discharged faithfully? The principles are enshrined in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Let us observe what is suggested: Regularly: the first day of the week; Individually: every one of you; Systematically: lay by him in store; Proportionately: as God hath prospered. Thus a certain definite sum is set aside regularly as the Lord’s portion to be disbursed as guided by Him. What proportion? This is not specified. It is for each believer to decide, having regard to commitments and obligations. “As God hath prospered,” provides both for a varying sum and a varying proportion. One may start by giving a tenth, but as income increases and obligations decrease, such a proportion may not then be honoring to God. In deciding what the proportion shall be, there needs to be due exercise of heart that there be no unnecessary expenditure upon household and personal needs. Yet, no steward should feel any bondage as to this, for God is not a grudging Master and will surely allow His steward suitable food, lodging, and clothing. If due care is exercised as to personal expenses, they are as truly sanctioned by the Lord as any gifts for His work.
This method of setting aside a definite proportion for the Lord follows the principle inculcated so often in the Scriptures–God first. It is a safeguard against the danger to which most are exposed of raising unduly our standard of living; of regarding as necessities things which were formerly looked upon as luxuries, with the result that at the end of the week or month, as the case may be, there is little left for God–a blemished sacrifice, so sternly condemned in Malachi 1:14.
Do we give systematically to the Lord of what He has entrusted to us or do we give haphazardly? Does the amount given bear any relation to income received? Or is it determined by our presence at certain meetings and the appeal of the moment? If haphazard giving is our practice, clearly we are unwise as well as unfaithful. What is the result?
1. We rob God (Mal. 3:8). Those who consider they give a satisfactory portion of their income on this basis are urged, in view of the Judgment Seat of Christ, to make note of sums normally given over a period of, say, three months, and then relate the total to gross income for the same period. Do not shrink from it. The result, will probably be humiliating.
2. We deprive the Lord’s work of financial assistance necessary for the maintenance of aggressive work at home and abroad. It is the considered judgment of not a few that if only the lesser per cent of believers in assemblies gave systematically and proportionately there would be no lack anywhere, but instead a superabundance. It may be suggested that the Lord will provide for His servants. Yes, He does, and He will even if we fail. But it is one thing for a missionary to receive sufficient for bare needs and quite another to enable him to grasp fully all his varied opportunities to make Christ known among the heathen.
3. We lose enrichment spiritually which we might otherwise receive (2 Cor. 9:6, 8, 11). George Muller said, “If we neglect habitual, regular giving, giving from principle upon scriptural grounds, and leave it to impulse, feeling, or particularly arousing circumstances, we shall certainly be the losers.”
There is a prime responsibility, as already shown, towards God. The fact that He is pleased to entrust with some part of His property makes us highly responsible servants.
There is also a responsibility towards fellow-believers and evangelistic work at home and abroad. Dr. A. T. Pierson has well said, “God’s stewards who see their opportunity and responsibility are buttresses to the whole structure of foreign missions.”
Although salaries and wages generally have increased, it is feared that gifts to the Lord’s work have not increased proportionately. Men and women have not been lacking in willingness to surrender all, and to venture forth to the mission field in dependence on God. Despite the closing of doors, missionaries have found other places to serve the Lord, and those laid aside still need care and help. And with the greatly increased cost of living in all lands, it should evoke a greater exercise of heart. The cost of carrying on evangelical work, whether in traveling with the gospel, in educational work, or in medical work, it has risen sharply. Opportunity is presented to many missionaries in the field of literature seeing that the number of literates is increasing.
For missionaries, all this constitutes a great test of faith and on their part much sacrifice is often involved, but the sacrifice should not be theirs alone. We should all be God’s fellow-workers in this great enterprise, and although not called to go in person to the field, should see that our contribution is as large as possible.
God will be no man’s debtor; so the promise is, “Give and it shall be given unto you” (Lk. 6:38). “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth” (Prov. 11:24). “Honor the Lord with . . . the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Prov. 3:9-10). God often entrusts larger gifts to those who demonstrate faithfulness in the discharge of this stewardship. Giving also ushers in the dawn of a superior blessedness: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
What a rich cluster of blessings is found in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:6-14! Giving will bring an abundance of joy, forge a link of fellowship, prove the sincerity of our love, secure a bountiful harvest, lead to an added sense of God’s love, obtain abounding grace, effect an increase in the fruits of righteousness, promote thankfulness in others, and cause God to be glorified.