For some time now, we as Seventh-day Adventist® Christians have lived in the end of time. As we see cosmic birth pains accelerating and intensifying all around us, what should our end-time stewardship look like?
First, have we recognized that we are only stewards, not owners of the assets in our hands? The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 24:1 that the earth and everything in it, including us, belongs to God. We have documents showing that we are legal owners of assets. Despite that, those assets are not ours, they are God’s. We are only stewards, managers, or caretakers of God’s assets. Since all we have is God’s, are we seeking His will regarding how He wants us to manage His assets in our hands?
Second, do we realize what God expects of us in the handling of His assets? The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:2 that God requires us to be faithful stewards. Did you notice what Paul did not say? He wrote nothing about us being successful. God requires us to faithfully manage His assets. What does faithful stewardship look like? I believe the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 is Exhibit A of what constitutes faithfulness. The first two servants took what was given to them and used them in such a way that there was a significant increase in those assets. The third servant only buried what he was given. The first two servants were found faithful while the third was found unfaithful.
Third, when should we invest God’s assets in our hands in the finishing of His work? The Lord’s Messenger warns us in Counsels on Stewardship, pp. 59-60, that in the time of trouble, the assets in our hands cannot be used to advance God’s work. But, if we have made a “covenant with God through sacrifice,” we have our “property on the altar,” and we earnestly seek His guidance, He will tell us when to invest His assets in our hands for the finishing of His work. When God tells me to invest His assets in my hands in the finishing of His work, I pray I will obey promptly. There are only two treasuries into which I can invest His assets, God’s treasury and Satan’s treasury. By the grace of God, I hope to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” God could speak no sweeter words to me! How about you?
Vialo Weis Jr. Is the Indiana Conference Stewardship ministries director.
