STEWARDSHIP
AND DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER
GOD AS SOLE PROVIDER OF ALL RESOURCES
Continuing my discussion on
stewardship and discipleship, I want to focus on another statement previously
shared:
God is the sole provider of all
resources.[1]
These are the scriptures that the
article by Christian Stewardship Network cites about God being the sole
provider.
2
Peter 1:3
- His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our
knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
1
Timothy 6:17
- Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to
put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,
who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Philippians
4:19 -
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in
Christ Jesus.
John
15:7 -
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it
will be done for you.
My first reading of the statement above
led me to think that it was pretty much the same as God being the owner, but
after reading the scriptures and thinking about this a little more, I realized
it was quite different. God created and owns; we’ve covered that. But providing
is something more. Providing means caring for others with what is owned. As an
example, parents provide for their children. God provides for us.
Going another step further, while
parents provide for their children, we’ve discussed that we don’t actually own
anything. But God created. God owns. God provides:
·
“his
divine power has granted us all things”
·
“God…richly
provides us with everything to enjoy”
·
“God
will supply every need”
This is amazing! God created. God owns. But God
provides, and not only does God provide, God provides for us, for our every
need.
As a steward, we are tasked with
caring for what is owned by another, and our every need is cared for.
As we continue to discuss
stewardship and discipleship in the upcoming summer weeks, to help us prepare
for our stewardship and discipleship often done in the fall, remember, stewardship
and discipleship have to work together. One cannot exist without the
other. We aren’t effective stewards if we aren’t disciples, and we aren’t
disciples if we aren’t using the resources give to us to further God’s kingdom.
Stay
tuned for this ongoing stewardship conversation.
[1] Stewardship
Education that Builds Disciples, Furlong, Jessica and Dick, Don (Christian
Stewardship Network), https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com.
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