Holistic StewardshipIn an earlier article I stated that as Christians we are required to grow what we are given. Our talents should develop; the money we earn needs to increase; the work we are given needs to show results; the children we are allowed to enjoy have to be provided for and have to be taught to grow into responsible adults. But what do we do with the profits from our income? "I Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. The Old Covenant was a system of rules, basically: do this, don't do that, and you are ok. Just like the laws of our land they spelled out an obligation to do and not do certain things in order to be a good citizen with God. The New Covenant removed these rules and gave the Christian freedom from this law. Instead it opened one's eyes to a different truth: A Christian no longer lives a life of "I must do" but a life of "I get to do". Under the old covenant I would have an obligation to live according to to the laws handed down by God. It would mean participating in dietary laws, the sacrifices for sins committed, washings, the rules of daily life, health laws, paying 10% of any profit in my job or business to God, etc. The book of Leviticus reads like the book of bylaws I picked up in my local municipality a few days ago. If I lived in a conquered country, I would also have to obey the laws of the conquerors unless it contradicted the laws of God with a possibility of punishment by the powers that be. Anything else was mine, and mine to do with as I pleased. Therefore it was not really seen as stewardship of God's property, but of MY property, as long as I gave God his due. Under the new covenant I see that really everything belongs to God, my land, my house, my money, my time, my thoughts, and that God has made me a steward of everything he has put in my control. Even Abraham, the noted ancestor of the Israelites, knew that God owned everything: Genesis 14:22 ..."I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth..." But in the time of the old agreement (covenant, contract, testament) people lived a life with a very black and white perspective. God said in Genisis 13:15 "For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever". That means the land now belongs to the people, right? Under the new testament the law is no longer black and white. It expands to include a different dimension: Time and thoughts are real yet abstract by comparison of earthly THINGS. The abstract connects to the spiritual which is eternal, invisible, and abstract. So by comparison of the two testaments Jesus said: "Mathew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery (literally, the physical act): Mathew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." As you can see there is a whole lot of grey added to the commandment. This is the part that is described today under morals and ethics. But now that I understand what Jesus went through for me, I "want to". So now I also have to think. The first order of business in stewardship is now God's kingdom and then I do not have to worry that I am not provided for....MMMMM In Luke it says: "Ch.12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. CH.12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Ch.12:031 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." But I am given work for pay, or I have developed a business because I have the talents to do so. Now I have saved enough money for a long holiday in Cuba! But how do I then balance this with the kingdom of God? I am looking at all the blessings I have received as God's manager and steward. Do I really have to go to Cuba? Or could I get my break by renting a cottage at a lake and enjoy the peace and beauty of God's creation? It costs only half the Cuba holiday and might be more relaxing. Then I can give some of the money to the food bank and with the rest I can help my neighbour put in a furnace so he does not have to be cold another winter. I talk with God. Placing all this in His hands gives me peace of mind and my choice is made. Holistic stewardship combines the spiritual with the physical. Go see if it is so: Find a bible online and read these chapters yourself or here is access to the New World Translation. Have a great day! choices, dimension, holistic stewardship, laws, new testament, obligation, old covenant, old testament, profits Klaudia Sharon admin black hattitude WEFPHYMNNEF admin TrafficGirl admin
|