Read: Matthew 14:13-21
And they all ate and were satisfied. (v. 20)
When it comes to how Christians should relate to their money, I’m uncomfortable with the word stewardship. That may sound surprising, since stewardship is the word Christians use most when talking about money. But I hear stewardship being used to justify stinginess. “I’m just trying to be a good steward” is used as an excuse not to give instead of a reason to give.
That’s why I prefer to focus on generosity. Stewardship often begins with the assumption that one is managing a limited and scarce resource. In contrast, generosity begins with the assumption that one is managing an abundant resource. Our God is a God of abundance, not scarcity. The disciples did the math of feeding 5,000 people on two fish and five loaves and felt anxious. Jesus knew there would be twelve baskets left over.
Let me quickly add that I am not proposing some sort of “God wants to make you rich” theology. God doesn’t want to make you rich; God wants you to realize how rich you already are. The reality is that the great majority of those reading this devotional are fantastically rich compared with the rest of the world. Rich is a relative term, and I find no biblical justification for those who mangle God’s good news into a promise of personal wealth. You already are blessed beyond measure. Let your giving reflect that reality. —Jeff Munroe
As you pray, thank God for his abundant, generous care and consider how you can respond with generosity to others.
About the Author
Jeff Munroe is the editor of the Reformed Journal and, in addition to being the author of the best-selling book Reading Buechner: Exploring the Work of a Master Memoirist, Novelist, Theologian, and Preacher, is also a poet, blogger, and essayist. His work has appeared in Christianity Today, The Christian Century, US Catholic, and The Reformed Journal.
