Biblical Stewardship

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order for the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (I Corinthians 16:1-2).

Four characteristics of stewardship are found in this passage. These attributes underscore the importance of managing God’s resources wisely.

  1. It is periodic. Paul instructs the Corinthians to lay something aside on “the first day of the week.” The reference here is not so much about the day — as important as it is — but about getting into a habit of giving regularly to God.
  2. It is personal. When it comes to the responsibility to give, the instructions in the New Testament are not to the church but to individual believers (“every one of you”). When each member does what is right in spite of the circumstances, the church is blessed. One day we will all stand before the Lord and give an account of our stewardship of the truth, of our time, of our talent, and of our treasure.
  3. It is proportionate. Each gift was to be proportional to how each giver has prospered. This principle of graduated tithing can be traced from Abraham to Paul. Abraham commenced it (Genesis 14:18-20), Jacob continued it (Genesis 28:22), Moses commanded it (Leviticus 27:30), Jesus commended it (Matthew 23:23), and Paul concluded it. God’s people today are called to be faithful in their stewardship.
  4. It is purposeful. Note the final line in verse 2: “that there be no gatherings [collections] when I come.” Paul did not want to have to take time away from teaching and ministering to ensure the offering — he wanted it to already be done. This is why we take a weekly offering in our churches: so that we do not have to worry whether or not we can afford to pay the bills and send money to the mission field. If believers take God’s disciplined approach, they can focus their energies on doing His work and building His kingdom.

NOTE: Credit for this article goes to Dr. David Jeremiah, with only slight revisions by me. – Pastor George Mulford