Why Stewardship Is Foundational To Your Success

2008-09-11 Word Count: 370 Category: Personal Finance

Everything on this earth has been entrusted to us by God. Scripture says, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalms 24:1) and "Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). That does not leave much for us to claim credit for, does it? This reality affects us in every area, from our finances to our time and from our abilities to our children. Everything is God's, absolutely everything!

Why is stewardship so important? Because when you accept the position that you are a steward, you can fulfill God's will for your life! Believe me, no one has a better plan for your life than He does! But we cannot honor God or fully achieve any goal when we believe we are the owners - we have to have the perspective of stewardship. When we live with this perspective - lovingly caring for the lives He has entrusted to us, carefully managing the possessions He has allowed us, and wisely using the resources He has given us - we will be fulfilling God's will and reaping the many benefits that come from it, including great satisfaction and success.

What makes being a good steward such a joy? Is it the fact that you have something to be a steward with? Is it that you are able to manage it wisely? Is it that God has found you faithful? The joy of stewardship comes from all of these to some degree, but the greatest joy comes from giving it away.

Giving brings me such joy that I don't believe you can truly experience joy if you don't give your money away. No joy matches my joy from giving. I tell my wife, Jane, "I feel guilty because I feel so hilariously happy today and explosive with joy." I may have less because I gave it away, but I gained much more in return, so much that I don't think it was a fair trade.

Stewardship is a joy and a responsibility, and when we live with that perspective as a foundation, we can achieve all the success God has planned for us!

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New York Times best-selling author Paul J. Meyer has helped many discover the joy and fulfillment of stewardship. To learn more about the great blessings of giving, order "The Joy and Responsibility of Stewardship" today at www.pauljmeyer.com.