MONDAY October 30, 2023

Financial Integrity

“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Acts 20:33-35

Paul informed the elders who had gathered to hear his final farewell address of his financial integrity. He had never fleeced the flock of God; he fed the flock of God. Paul never asked for anything. In fact, He worked with his own hands as a tentmaker to provide for his needs as a tentmaker. He had a trade. He trusted God to take care of his needs. During the day, he worked in the morning and preached the Gospel in the afternoon. What an excellent example Paul has become for anyone called into the ministry.

At times, Paul received offerings because people loved him and wanted to help him in the ministry. The money always went right back into the ministry. He never used offerings to line his own pockets. When people give to Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, I like to say, “We do not take people’s offerings, we receive it so we can use it for the ministry.”

Paul informed the leaders that they also had a duty to support the weak. He quoted Jesus’ words that are found only in this one place in the Bible: “ ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” This challenge is also given to us––to give sacrificially to others from our hearts.

I have found it such a joy in giving to others and giving to the work of the Lord. There are people in this world who only want to receive––to take. Yet how blessed it is when you are able to give sacrificially to others.

Stewardship isn't a subcategory of the Christian life. Stewardship is the Christian life. After all, what is stewardship except that God has entrusted to us life, time, talents, money, possessions, family, and his grace? In each case, he evaluates how we regard what he has entrusted to us and what we do with it.
~Randy Alcorn~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!