ARE YOU A GREAT STEWARD OF RESOURCES?

We had a few days to go; yet there was still a lot to be done on the project site. The next phase needed quite some funds. We had to purchase things for electrical and plumbing accessories. 

We all prayed and gave thanks before we left the site that night. By the time we returned in the morning, we had almost all the funds needed. 

As I strolled on-site still giving thanks, we received the exact amount needed to take care of the balance. Our joy was palpable. God showed up. Yes, He did. 

But here is the amazing part: I sent a message to the person who sent the seed and the response still rings in my heart to date: “You are an amazing steward of God’s resources”. It challenged me heavily. 

Beloved, God looks at your stewardship before He increases the resources around you. If you are not faithful to one man, you will not be faithful with a hundred men. If you are not faithful with one dollar, you cannot be faithful with one thousand dollars. 

If you are a minister of the gospel (this will help a businessman or woman also), please separate the resources of the ministry from your resources. Do not mix it up. Let there be accountability over the resources of God’s people. Please, even if the offering is two hundred and sixty-five naira and you knew you gave two hundred naira as a pastor, do not complain. Do not grumble. It is not your money. Treat it with honour. It belongs to God. 

Apostle Paul made it clear that one of the requirements of a Kingdom Steward is faithfulness. You must be faithful!

Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust]. 

1 Corinthians 4:2 AMPC

There was a time that Apostle Paul had to administer the resources of God’s people, we did not take things for granted. He ensured that a team of efficient and faithful men handled the funds and he gave his reasons: 

And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. 

2 Corinthians 8:18-21 NIV 

They did not handle God’s money like their personal money. They did this for two reasons: 

• To avoid criticism about how the funds were managed,

• To ensure that they do what is right before God and man.

There is a tendency to mismanage divine resources when you are not deliberate about stewardship and faithfulness. Please be deliberate.