In an earlier chapter about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we considered some words Jesus spoke to His disciples regarding stewardship. He told them not to lay up treasures on the earth, but in heaven. He pointed out, not only the foolishness of those who invest in temporal treasures, but also the darkness that is in their hearts (see Matt. 6:19-24).
Money is the true god of those who lay up earthly treasures, because they serve it and it rules their lives. Jesus declared that it is impossible to serve God and money, clearly indicating that if God is our true Master, then He is also Master of our money. Money, more than anything else, competes with God for the hearts of people. That is no doubt why Jesus taught that we cannot be His disciples unless we give up all our own possessions (see Luke 14:33). Christ’s disciples own nothing. They are simply stewards of that which is God’s, and God likes to do things with His money that reflect His character and furthers His kingdom.
Jesus had much to say about stewardship, but it seems His words are often ignored by those who profess to be His followers. Much more popular is the twisting of Scripture to fabricate the modern “prosperity doctrine” in its many forms, subtle and blatant. The disciple-making minister, however, desires to teach people to obey all of Christ’s commandments. He will thus teach, by his example and by his words, biblical stewardship.
Let us consider what Scripture teaches about stewardship, and at the same time, expose some of the more common examples of false teaching about prosperity. This will by no means be an exhaustive study. I’ve written an entire book on this subject that is available to read in English at our website. It is found at “Jesus on Money.”
