Biblical Stewardship and Generosity

God of every good and perfect gift, thank You for the blessings You bestow upon Your children, both physical and spiritual. May we come to a greater recognition of Your careful care today.

We’re reminded of this in Psalm 34:1–10 (NIV), which says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

Today, we pause and ask You to help us take on the same posture as David, giving praise and exaltation to You, Lord, for Your generosity and provision. Despite danger, turmoil, anxiety, and fear, we ask You to renew our understanding of You as shepherd. May we truly believe and our lives reflect the truth that in You we lack no good thing.

Like David, we recognize we’re called to trust in Your provision and to be found faithful stewards of what You entrust into our care. We look to You for guidance, asking that Your Spirit and Word would teach us and lead us on how to be good stewards, not for our own benefit but for Your glory!

In Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV), in the middle of Jesus' sermon on the Mount, we’re given an important lesson on the Lord's provision and our stewardship: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Thank You for reminding us that where our treasure is, there our heart is also. We’re compelled by the gravity of this statement. Reveal to us now where we’re ultimately placing our hearts and trust. Help us to tithe, to give above and beyond the tithe, and to live a life of generosity as the true antidotes to greed and covetousness to material (earthly) possessions.

Lord, what are our blindspots in our own financial stewardship and generosity? Show us where we’re giving first priority to other things. We ask for Your forgiveness where we’ve been unfaithful stewards of what You've entrusted to us, and help us to use what You've blessed us with to accomplish Your will on the earth while we’re here.

In Jesus' Name. Amen.