Stewing Over Stewardship

With all the turmoil our national economy has experienced in recent months, Americans have been stewing over the stock market and worrying about Wall Street. Seasons of financial stress offer unique opportunities to help those in need and to sharpen our skill as caretakers of God's property. Here are some questions to think about.

Do we really believe what it says on our money, "In God we trust"? And if we really trust God, then why don't more of us tithe?

Will donors continue to give generously if the government someday removes the tax break for charitable contributions?

How can a minister teach the members of his church to tithe if he isn't doing so himself? Should anyone serve as an elder or as a member of the church staff if he is not a generous giver?

Are younger church members receiving sufficient instruction about stewardship? Do our churches and para-church organizations rely too heavily on the Builder Generation instead of cultivating generosity among the young? How can we do a better job helping new believers discover the blessings and responsibilities of stewardship?

Why do we accept it as normal when a relatively small percentage of the church budget is designated for evangelism, missions, and benevolence?

Why are so many Christians so deeply in debt?

Why are we so quick to label someone else's purchases "luxuries" while we consider our own purchases "necessities"?

Why is there so much talk today about "uncertain economic times"? Has there ever been a time when we could be certain about money? The Bible tells us not to trust in wealth, "which is so uncertain," but to put our hope in God (1 Timothy 6:17).

Jesus cast the merchants and moneychangers out of the temple. What would he like to cast out of our churches today?

Can visionaries get along with accountants? Can risk-takers and penny-pinchers respect one another and serve harmoniously on the same church leadership team? There's a fine line between striking out in faith and simply striking out. Our church budgets need to reflect a healthy balance of boldness and caution.

Do most Christians save regularly in a personal benevolence fund, setting aside money specifically so we will have funds available to help others in need? If not, why not?

If church-sponsored missions and benevolence efforts didn't exist, how many more people around the world would be illiterate, sick, uneducated, starving, without proper housing, and without eternal hope? If government-sponsored social welfare programs dry up, will the church step up and provide for those in need?

If the economy is so bad, why are the football stadiums and basketball arenas still so full?

Since the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, why aren't Christian parents more intentional in warning our children about the dangers of materialism and setting an example of financial self-discipline?

Since our heavenly Father knows and provides our needs, why do we worry so much?

Some of these questions make me uncomfortable, but one thing I know for sure. Good stewards do more than just stew about the economy. This is not a time to whine; it's a time to shine.