Ebenezer Scrooge is an iconic example of a character who is selfish to the core. Not only does he display selfishness with his finances, but also with his time and with his talents. To begin our discussion of stewardship, view this short clip from an adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.
Though classic stories like A Christmas Carol emphasize the need for redemption by depicting a dramatic transformation, modern culture tends to glorify and idolize the wealthy workaholics, thereby undermining the important virtue of stewardship.
Watch this short clip from the film Other People’s Money, in which Danny Devito portrays (albeit comically) a character who is fixated on financial gain at the expense of others.
Though popular culture may send confusing messages about the dangers of selfishness and the importance of stewardship, the Bible is quite clear on these matters. In Compass’s Give, Save & Spend course, Howard Dayton explains:
Did you know there are 2,350 verses in the Bible that deal with money and possessions and that 15% of everything that Jesus Christ said had to do with it? So why does God say so much about it? Simple. How we handle money has a significant impact on our relationship with the Lord. Luke 16:11 tells us, “If therefore you are not faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?” And what are the true riches? A more intimate relationship with Christ. And on top of that, God’s way of handling money is so much different than the way most people handle their finances. And get this—they’re so much better.
The concept of stewardship is not just limited to finances. Scripture is also clear that stewardship of time and talent is equally important. However, the rest of the world is teaching a contradictory message. The first of these four stewardship courses will focus on stewardship of time. As you work through these courses, take notes, write down questions and applications, and ask God to show you areas you might need to focus on or surrender to Him. As part of these course experiences, we encourage you to find a mentor (if you do not already have one) who can meet with you, challenge you, and pray for you as you work through these concepts.
Version 1.1
