Stewarding Christmas Spending

"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon [money]." Luke 16:13 

Whether we acknowledge it or not, our homes, our finances, our husbands, our children, our health - and ultimately our lives - belong to God.We are the stewards of all those things. A steward is “one who is accountable to another.” We have the privilege and responsibility to answer to God for all He entrusts us with. This is particularly true as we seek to steward well our Christmas spending. 

Stewarding Your Finances

It is easy as we plan our Christmas spending to be more concerned with image or the newest devices or children's expectations, perhaps forgetting about a necessary budget or making wise purchases. Ask yourself: Which representation of worldly wealth is your biggest obstacle to godly stewardship? Your jewelry? The newest gadget? Your household possessions? Here is God’s wisdom: *“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”* (Matthew 6:21).

Stored riches on earth will break down and can be stolen. But those treasures we place in heaven will be preserved forever. Our minds need to focus on the eternal:

"Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God,  who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed" (1 Tim. 6:17-19).

We are to place all our trust in God alone. When we do experience a holiday season blessed with financial security, we have the opportunity to use it to help others.

Stewarding Your Life

Everyone wonders about life after death. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus told a parable that gives a possible glimpse of life beyond this earth. A beggar dies and enters a life of comfort after an earthly existence of torment. We also read about the death of a rich man who lived his days on earth in splendor...and woke up to eternal torment in Hades. What made the difference?

We can infer that the rich man didn’t heed the Word of the Lord or seek the instruction of God. He didn’t reach out to help the poor and downtrodden. Instead, he lived in luxury, concentrating on worldly wealth. Lazarus, the beggar, was humble and content to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. When he died he was rewarded by being brought into heaven.

My friend, the ultimate stewardship you’re given is your life on earth. We can give richly, serve sacrificially, and love unconditionally, following Jesus’ example. How can you use your life to be a better servant of God and glorify Him?

RESPOND:

God, help me to steward my life and possessions well. I want to be rich in good works for You. Replace my longing for earthly treasures with hope and peace and a desire for heavenly blessings. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

In Creating a Beautiful Life: A Woman’s Guide to Good-Better-Best Decision Making, Elizabeth George helps you navigate your options to make the most out of the days God has given you.

REFLECT:

How can you wisely steward your finances and life during this holiday season? Does your spending and the way you live your life reflect your trust in God?

REMEMBER:

We are to place all our trust in God alone - rather than in the newest purchase or extravagant spending.