Congregations frequently provide some theological context for giving to the work of the church through the time, talent and treasures and spiritual gifts of its members. For most Christians, stewardship translates into the giving out of one’s annual income to the current work of the church. Biblical concepts of tithing, proportionate giving, “seeking first the kingdom”, sources of wealth, sacrificial giving, etc. are often employed.
The Stewardship of Accumulated Possessions
Traditionally, far less emphasis has been made in the church as to God’s claim upon all of one’s possessions. Yet, within the scriptures, there is a clear mandate.
Psalms 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, “says the Lord Almighty,” and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
I Chronicles 29
Gifts for building the temple
“All things belong to God.” One’s possessions—accumulated assets—come under that stewardship mandate. They become a means by which an individual’s faith finds expression and the corporate mission of the church is served. This is referred to as the “Stewardship of Accumulated Possessions.”
The Renewing of the Covenant
Questions for discussion and issues to consider:
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Should a Christian have a long-term savings program, retirement plan, life insurance, an investment portfolio, disability income insurance or other insurance or a large estate?
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What about the saying, “God helps those who help themselves.” Where did that come from? Can it be found in the Bible?
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Should a congregation, “save up” for the future by establishing an endowment and encourage bequests to it?
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How can a congregation/college/non-profit institution justify having thousands of dollars sitting in an endowment when within their community exists unemployment, hunger and homelessness?
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These are critical questions asked by individuals and congregations. The claim of some is that we should not “store up treasures” because “God will provide” as God did through manna in the desert at the time of the Exodus.
Such special acts of God are not to be denied, yet the thrust throughout the Old Testament seems to teach that of taking care of thine own as well as future generations.
I Timothy 5:8
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Lev. 25: 23
“passing on of land and possessions” to succeeding generations.
This is viewed as a means of renewing the covenant whereby generations to come are seen as stewards entrusted with the care and preservation of the land. It becomes a means of keeping covenant with the faithful owner, God.
Additional Questions to Consider
Within the next 10 to 25 years the greatest inter-generational wealth transfer will occur in the United States. It is estimated that between 10 to 150 trillion dollars of net worth will be inherited by a generation that has not demonstrated the same philanthropic disciplines as their parents and grandparents have.
Will nonprofit organizations inherit much of that? Should they? What effect would it have on our economy and culture if they did? One concern is that the baby-boomer generation (who is in line to inherit all this wealth) does not appear to have the same philanthropic tendencies as their parents and grandparents. What affect will this have on the nonprofit sector who relies so heavily on charitable contributions?
Experiencing the Joy of Giving
Jesus gave emphasis to money and possessions as being an important means for fulfilling one’s citizenship in the kingdom of God that always had a future orientation to it. Wealth and possessions were not to become the end of one’s labor, i.e. accumulating more because one has been faithful and righteous. God gives wealth as an act of grace in order that the individual or the church might use it to seek the fulfillment of the kingdom.
Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents
Thus, in the parable of the talents, the principal point is that the kingdom begins to be experienced by those who find meaning and joy, not in accumulating wealth for themselves, but imploring it in fulfilling God’s will (experiencing the joy of giving). This prompts not only a present commitment to the work of the church in serving the kingdom, but also engenders hope in the work of ministry and mission of the church/college for the kingdom that is yet to come. Therefore, stewardship also involves planning how your accumulated possessions can be used to further the work of the Lord beyond your lifetime (legacy gifts or planned gifts).
Treasures in Heaven
I Timothy 6:17-19
Paul’s word on special gifts and endowments comes when he exhorts the affluent steward to turn to God, the Great Giver. Then, and only then, can a person know what it means to accumulate, to invest, to give away. Only then will one acquire a treasure “which will form a good foundation, for the future. Thus, they will grasp the life which is life indeed.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Providing a biblical basis and a theological context for the stewardship of accumulated possessions can serve to avoid the reluctant and negative feelings surrounding endowments in the church/college. Difficulties arise when “treasures are laid up for yourself” in order to only build bigger buildings, larger treasuries and excessive aggrandizement without giving thought to the ways in which the church/college can further God’s Kingdom. If our hearts are set on “treasures in heaven,” faith commitments beyond this time and place will be guided in acquiring, managing and utilizing endowment gifts that ultimately and graciously come from God.
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