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Messan Komedja

PRINCIPLES ON STEWARDSHIP

1.  GOAL DEVICES

There is nothing wrong with goal devices, provided they are used for the right purpose. The useof goal devices in our churches to raise money must be a modern innovation for we find no

record in the Bible of such activities. Moses did not erect a model tabernacle; neither did David

place a mini temple on display.

The use of goal devices as primary objectives tends to direct a persons attention ot giving to

thinks, rather than giving to God and then distributing to things. When giving is viewed as an

outward expression of an inner feeling, then the proper motivation will be a heart experience

rather than something externally generated.

A goal device should not be used as a motivator, only as an indicator. The emphasis should be

on giving to God, rather than to things.

Properly presented, objectives can provide a valuable means for maturing Christians as they are

taught to give disinterestedly because of their love for God, and their appreciation for His

constant blessings.

2.  MOTIVATION IN GIVING 

Much of the money that finds its way into the church could be called a collection rather than an

offering. Possibly this is because needs are emphasized rather than the privilege of expressing

love and gratitude to God.

The question arises: would it be better to raise money for an objective; or would it be better to

match the objective to the funds given willingly from the heart?

In one hand, we need to have an aggressive program, and must not be content with a minimum

of effort; while on the other, we must not allow the need for funds to take precedence over the

spiritual requirement of the need of the giver to give from proper motivation. The only

acceptable offering is one generated by pure motive if love anything else is unacceptable.

The pure offering seeks nothing, it expects nothing; it is an outward response to an inward

feeling.

How, then do we protect the relationship (God-loves-Man and Man-loves-God) and still provide

the financial support for the many phases of Gods work?

First, we continually uphold Gods love, His sacrifice, His gift. Then, We can present the needs of 

Gods work as opportunities to express our love and gratitude. By following this sequence, men

and women will be trained to first, give to god, then distribute to things. Needs will only make it

convenient to allocate the money which has already been dedicated to God. He will be the real

recipient of every offering.

3.  UNACCEPTABLE OFFERINGS

Substitute : Anything which is a substitute for personal sacrifice is unacceptable.

Cost Nothing: It is a sad fact that many people will give that which costs them nothing, or causes

them the least inconvenience. David said in 1 Chronicles 21:24 No, I insist on paying the full 

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 price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me

nothing.

Worthless:Unfortunately, much has been said about the giving of some worthless act as an

offering to God, then recounting how the Lord rewarded this offering. The gift would be

acceptable, though worthless, if it was the best the giver had to offer. But to give something

that is imperfect or not wanted, when the giver possesses something of worth, is unacceptable.

(See 1 Samuel 15:13-22)

When evaluating any offering to God, ask yourself: is it representative of the one perfect Gift,

and does it represent the pure motive of love? If it does, then it is acceptable.

4.  THE ENEMY WITHIN 

Once a person is willing to assume total responsibility for his actions, then his mind will be clear

to begin the search for the enemy within. This enemy may be hard to identify, even more

difficult to track, for it is so interwoven with the fabric of our lives. Within each individual there

is the desire for self-gratification. This is a strong, almost insurmountable hurdle.

In each individual the seeds of selfishness put down deep roots during the young formative

years and are never uprooted by the grace of God. On the other hand, in each heart also reside

tender feelings of benevolence.

Its not enough to have a feeling of love and gratitude; it must be expressed in some material

way or it will result in frustration, locked in its desire for expression. Selfishness and

benevolence both increase or diminish with exercise or inactivity. These forces exist in every

individual; each seeks to dominate every act of life. Each person has the capacity to become

generous or penurious, kind or mean, benevolent or self-centered. Yet, there is hope. We must

recognize that our greatest enemy is the enemy within and with this knowledge we can run

the race of life and win through the strength and grace of God.

5.  DEDICATION

Devotion, direction, single-mindedness is the basic ingredient for success in any endeavor. Most

of lifes races have been lost because:

-  A person did not know there was a race

-  He did not care whether he won or not

-  He was running in the wrong direction.

Too many people shoot at the wall of opportunity draw a mark around it and it turns out to be

a zero. Because they had no target, they did not aim at a specific objective. Any success they

might have attained was purely accidental.

To be successful, one must have an identifiable target aim at the bulls eye and squeeze thetrigger of opportunity. Success depends on singleness of purpose the consuming desire to

succeed.

To the devoted (dedicated) father, his family comes first. To the business man, it is his business.

To the Christian, it is his God. Wherever the interest lies is where one expends his time, energy,

and money. Jesus said in Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Every life is composed of large and small targets goals. Each of these advances the Christian

soldier toward that great goal eternal life. This is the target to which we must be dedicated.

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6.  PROPORTIONATE GIVING 

There are many people who give little or nothing because they consider it insignificant. By this

they show they do not understand the great principle of proportionate response. The Bible

recognizes that in every group there are various levels of potential. When building the

Tabernacle, Moses was directed. Every man shall give as he is able according to the blessing of 

the Lord thy God which he hath given thee (Deut 16:17)

If one recognizes that his or her potential is greater or less than another member, then that

person will want to do their proportionate share, guided by their ability as God has prospered.

By doing that equal giving will be discarded in the mind of people. If we give according to the

ability from a heart filled with love and gratitude, they will be considered priceless. And on

heavens scales they will be considered equal, for they will be proportionate.

7.  THE POOR AND THE RICH

The basic principles which should guide the actions of both the poor and the rich are

responsibility and accountability. The poor are responsible and accountable for their talents of 

time and energy; the rich, for these as well as the material possessions with which they have

been entrusted. John Wesley said, Whoever has food to eat, and raiment to put on, with

something left over, is rich (Wesley, vol. II, p. 486).

What happens in reality is that the more affluent member often regards the poorer member

with pity, a degree of tolerance, or, in some instances, a polite avoidance. This does not

harmonize with the concept that all Christians are brethren equal members in the family of 

God.

On the other hand, the poor member may (and often does) regard his more affluent brother

with envy. This virus of jealousy is contrary to every Christian principle.

God never planned to see his children poor. Instead, he promised to prosper us. But the

wealthy people should not use their wealth to buy unnecessary items, just for the sake of 

affordability. Ellen G. White says When rightly employed, wealth becomes a golden bond of 

gratitude and affection between man and his fellow men, and a strong tie to bind his affections

to his Redeemer (Counsels on Stewardship, p. 22)

8.  PRIDE 

Pride is often thought of in terms of vanity, conceit, egotism or pomposity. Negative images

flash across the mind. But, what about pride in the form of self-respect and self-esteem? Is

there a room in the Christian arena for these?

Self-respect is a positive form of pride and needful. As important as it is, it can grow into

inordinate pride which is a self-destructing principle. Possibly the pride problem is the result of two factors: a lack of understanding regarding a persons stewardship relation to God, and the

satisfaction to be found in accomplishment.

Every worker should be able to look back on any job or mission, and with Godly self-

confidence say, With Gods help I did what I came to do. This is sanctified pride.

How do we reconcile the issue of promotion in the Church and the feeling which animates the

Promoted?

H ow big am I? Every Christian can be just as big as God intended him to be through the power 

and strength of Jesus-Christ and be proud of it.