He never runs out
Stewardship Is About Partnership with the Giver
When we invest our time, talents, and treasure, we’re not just managing resources—we’re partnering with God in His redemptive work. We recognize that what we might spontaneously think, our reactions or feelings and our want or need is not the greatest pursuit, but rather the spiritual impact we make through our resources. Instead of chasing after the comforts and delights of this world, we recognize the urgency is to meet with people: to invest in ministering to others.
I would venture to say, when we start recognizing our Wal-Mart run is for selfish gain (even the grocery run), and that our time and money can be used better elsewhere- or combining that with ministry opportunity- that God is really embodying us. I challenge you to recognize that even the errands you run, the commute you're delegated to make, the practices and activities you sign your kids up for, and the delays in between, as well as the regularly scheduled events you've committed to, can all be done with intention for Kingdom impact.
Stewardship is not about selfish control or gain; it’s about collaboration. It's about people coming together, recognizing God's gifts are given to edify each other, and laid down for His glory, submitted to Him, they are multiplied. Every Christian is to use their God-given gifts to serve others in love.
The misconception is that if we give of ourselves we will be left empty, without. This is the doubt that Satan puts in our path, and gets us to lose focus with, losing our spiritual fervor. When we are no longer looking to God as the supplier, we will be left empty: only He can supply the gifts. We decide in every moment throughout the day whether we bury our gifts in fear or plant them in faith. Feeling too "busy" to extend to others? Beware of the Gifts you're burying! Gifts buried are not the same as seeds planted: they will rot and bring no life, becoming toxic within you. But with re-dedication, re-partnership, God is delighted to cleanse us, give good gifts, and even new gifts previously not recognized come into fruition.
Faithfulness with what you already have opens the door for God to entrust you with more.
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” — Matthew 25:23
What about "mission burnout" or "compassion fatigue?"
Paul exhorts the Philippians in his letter, chapter 4 verse 10-20, that he is able to recieve everything he needs for the mission he is on from the Lord. The Philippians concern for him is their recognition that they have something to offer, and that is commendable. Paul's response is appreciation, rejoicing- he sees growth, and recognition of his supplier. Though we definitely can meet each other's needs, and exhort each other, he shares this testimony:
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
It is easy to think we can in our own strength; especially when things seem to be going well and right. Don't open up a blindside; recognize, "I am able to do everything through Him who gives me strength." It is often easiest to fall into temptation when all the doors are left open- as if we could receive from another source, especially when it seems the relationship we're pouring into starts to reciprocate. But the way is narrow, and all will stumble, we must keep our focus on the One Provider.
Mutually edifying relationships are good, but we must stay focused on the Source. For all will stumble, and when we put our faith in others, we are likely to go down with them rather than pick them up. You can't throw a rope over a cliff to help someone up expecting to do it on your own strength, the rope must be secured to something stronger. This is how "church hurt" happens, we start putting more hope and expectation in others, than in the One we are meeting to receive from. When we think we are meeting to receive from the preacher or someone else who has been offering us counsel, I think God will eventually allow us to see that they too are human. We must realign: only He is God and a constant provider.
James 3:2 & 17 reminds us, "we all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in chick." We cannot put that pressure on anyone, or hold ourselves to such a high expectation, rather we recognize that it is only "Wisdom that comes from heaven that is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. When we seek to be peacemakers, we will sow in peace and raise a harvest of righteousness." We will find we are complete in Him.
Look back at James 1:25, "The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does." The NCV translates it this way: "Truly happy are those who carefully study God's perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but obey God's teachings. Those who do this will be made happy."
When we are grounded in the perfect law, recognizing that only Christ is perfect, we will be better able to restore a brother that has stumbled. We will be ready to restore the brother who is caught in sin gently, all the while stable, lest we also would be tempted. In this way we not only mutually edify, but can carry each other's burdens, fulfilling the law for Christ with all humility. (Galatians 6:1-5)
Remember how Jesus lived? Constantly seeking communion with the Father. He knew His source well. And He knew this "Well" would never run dry. Relationship with the Lord is in-exhaustible. We must know our source, keep connecting with Him, and we will never run dry.
When we go from starving as we reach our church's door, to looking forward to sharing testimony of what God has done or shown us in the past week, we are coming to church the way Paul came to the Philippians. How we get there (bearing gifts), is by daily meeting with the Lord, spending time in the Word, prayer and worship on our own, and exercising our faith through offering gifts throughout the week. We must not forsake the fellowship of believers for mutual edification, but we must not look to that meeting for our filling either!
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