Stewardship: Managing resources entrusted to us by God.
Ownership: Assuming full control and rights over possessions.
God owns it all.
“1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” —Psalm 24:1
“10 For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.” —Psalm 50:10-11
“14 “Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God.” —Deuteronomy 10:14
Our role is to manage resources, not possess them.
“15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.” —Genesis 2:15
“14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last - dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.” —Matthew 25:14
God has entrusted us to steward eternity.
Stewardship aligns our hearts with God’s purposes.
“21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” —Matthew 6:21
As a church community, we are called to steward God’s grace.
“10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” —1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)