This is our second month focusing on the spiritual discipline of stewardship. Stewardship is the idea that God is the owner of every resource that we have and as Christians we are to utilize and manage all that He has entrusted to us for His glory and honor and according to His purposes. We don’t use the word stewardship on a daily basis, but embracing this calling of a steward can be a life altering discipline. This month we will consider what it looks like to steward our money through generosity. 

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

If we want to think about money and use it the way that Jesus would, we have to look for ways to use the money God has given us on eternal things. This passage warns us of the temptation to use it for earthly treasures that will shine and bring happiness for a season, but they are also treasures that will only decay, be stolen or fade. Jesus tells us that there is a better option; we can seek treasures in heaven that will last for eternity, because no one can steal or damage them. 

We are bombarded with materialistic ideals that promote seeking earthly treasures over heavenly ones, and if we’re not careful and intentional with stewarding our money well, it is so easy to get sucked in and ignore Jesus’ words. What you and I do with our money matters because Jesus says our heart will follow. And just think of the impact of having the heart’s of more Christians focused on eternal things. 

Let’s learn to steward well the money God has entrusted to us. Let’s learn to use it with the truth of God’s word in mind, and be disciplined to invest it in eternal things. After all, if you have given your life to Christ – your life, and your money, are no longer your own – they are his. And we know that the best and most joy-filled way to spend it is to use it the way God wants.