Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 3—Why God Employs Men as His Almoners
The Fruit of Seeking Gain
It is this increasing devotion to money getting, the selfishness which the desire for gain begets, that deadens the spirituality of the church, and removes the favor of God from her. When the head and hands are constantly occupied with planning and toiling for the accumulation of riches, the claims of God and humanity are forgotten. {CS 20.3}
If God has blessed us with prosperity, it is not that our time and attention should be diverted from Him and given to that which He has lent us. The giver is greater than the gift. We have been bought with a price; we are not our own. Have we forgotten that infinite price paid for our redemption? Is gratitude dead in the heart? Does not the cross of Christ put to shame a life of selfish ease and indulgence?...We are reaping the fruits of this infinite self-sacrifice; and yet, when labor is to be done, when our money is wanted to aid the work of the Redeemer in the salvation of souls, we shrink from duty and pray to be excused. Ignoble sloth, careless indifference, and wicked selfishness seal our senses to the claims of God. {CS 20.4}
Wicked selfishness is one way to describe our failure to live up to our duties in the work of salvation. There are many ways in which God blesses us, one being with prosperity. But if we fail to realize that this gift is to be used for the work that is in front of us in these last days, then we will be shrinking from our duty. The love of money is the root of all evil, and the favor of God will be removed if one continues in the accumulation of riches. Did Jesus not pay the ultimate price for our redemption? Yes, He did. He did it for me, and He did it for you. Give thanks, and Glory be to God.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You so much for the sacrifice, this infinite self-sacrifice You provided for our redemption. Thank You for blessing us with prosperity and for taking care and providing for all our needs. We pray that You will continue to empower us that we may be able to demonstrate the spirit of giving which You have blessed us with. Help us bless those around us. Bless these gifts that they may continue to further the work of salvation which You have appointed for us to do. Keep us faithful in our stewardship. We thank You for allowing us to be co laborers with You, and that it may hasten Your second advent. This is our prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
