Mission Venture Ministries

God owns the earth; He is its Creator. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).  In Psalm 24:1 we read that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it…,” and Revelation 4:11 states, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” 

God owns the living creatures that inhabit the earth (Psalm 50:10). He owns the metals that establish monetary value in the earth, ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty (Haggai 2:8). He also declares ownership over the true believer’s bodies, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19). 

Nothing is excluded from the sphere of His ownership and kingship as we read in 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 – “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.” 

There are numerous examples in the Word that show us that God owns everything. 

Lucifer, the proud rebellious archangel who fell from heaven and was cast down to earth, however, thought he could become like the Owner, usurping all the rights and privileges of the Creator (Isaiah 14:12-14), and like many today, forgot who the true Owner really is. 

Israel’s error was similar; they behaved as if their possessions were their own property and failed to give back to God with their tithes (Malachi 3:8-10). 

God has delegated authority over creation to man (Genesis 1:28); therefore, as God’s stewards, we are responsible to Him for creation’s proper management, and are not to be like the unfaithful servant that Jesus told us about, who made no effort to be productive (Matthew 25:14-29). 

In this parable a man was ready to go on a journey. Before leaving he called three of his slaves and entrusted them with his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his ability; and he went on his journey. 

Each steward had the master’s confidence and trust, and the success of venture depended upon the servant’s productivity. Each steward received different amounts of resources according to the master, and the reward was based on the faithful use of those resources. 

Jesus told a similar parable in Luke 19:13-27, which focused on the percent of return. In both parables, the stewards were essentially asked, “What did you do with what you were given?” Each had enormous freedom in his management and the opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities or stewardship. 

We need to understand that the biblical doctrine of stewardship defines a man’s relationship to God. It identifies God as owner and man as manager who serves His Master. God makes man His co-worker in administering all aspects of our life. The apostle Paul explains it best by saying, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). 

Once we understand the meaning of stewardships, we are then able to accurately view and correctly value not only our possessions, but, more importantly, human life itself. In essence, stewardship defines our purpose in this world as assigned to us by God Himself. It is our divinely given opportunity to join with God in His worldwide and eternal redemptive movement (Matthew 28:19-20). Stewardship is not God taking something from us; it is His method of bestowing His richest gifts upon His people. 

More often than not, when we think of good stewardship, we think of how we manage our finances and our faithfulness in paying God’s tithes and offerings. But it is much more than that. In fact, it is more than just the management of our time, our possessions, our environment, or our health.

Stewardship is our obedient witness to God’s sovereignty. It’s what motivates the follower of Christ to move into action, doing deeds that manifest his belief in Him. Paul’s stewardship involved proclaiming that which was entrusted to him – the gospel truth. 

Managing God’s entrusted resources defines our practical obedience in the administration of everything under our control, everything delegate to us. It is the dedication of one’s self and possessions to God’s service. Stewardship acknowledges that we do not have the right of control over ourselves or our property—God has that control. It means as stewards of God we are managers of that which belongs to God, and we are under His constant authority as we administer His affairs. 

Faithful stewardship means that we fully acknowledge we are not our own but belong to Christ, the Lord, who gave Himself for us. As a result, we acknowledge God’s ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow men, by using our money wisely for the proclamation of His gospel, the support of missions, growth of His church and helping those in need. 

We need to fully understand that all that we have belongs to God who entrusted it to us, therefore, stewardship is a privilege given to us by Him for the care of what belongs to Him in love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. A faithful steward is not selfish, he rejoices in the blessings that come to others as a result of his faithfulness. 

Are you the lord of your life? Or is Christ the Lord of your life? Stewardship is our love expresses in total obedience to God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

As Paul told the Corinthians, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

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