Generous Stewardship
Generosity is at the heart of the Christian faith. The message of the gospel is about how Jesus Christ generously gave up his life for the sake of others: ‘You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich’ (2 Corinthians 8:9). When Christians live generously, they not only reflect the character of God, they’re also putting their faith into action.
But what is the relationship of generosity to the biblical calling that each Christian has to be a steward of the gifts God has given them? Let’s explore!
Biblical stewardship paints a picture of us each being a caretaker of God’s kingdom: ‘As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace’ (1 Peter 4:10–11). To be a generous steward of God’s gifts isn’t just narrowly defined around financial generosity. Generous stewardship is actually meant to characterise the posture of the whole life of a Christian. Stewards recognise that everything they have is a gift (1 Corinthians 4:7), and so are joyfully committed to being generous with everything they have. We’re not owners of our time, talents, and resources, but simply stewards of them (Romans 11:36). Christians are called to steward everything, across all areas of our lives, in a radically generous way — a calling that can easily feel overwhelming and at times unattainable.
Fitting the stereotype of a millennial Christian, I have a verse engraved on my AirPods case: ‘Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’ (1 Corinthians 10:31). Every time I grab my AirPods I’m reminded to be a generous steward in every area of my life and at all times — no exceptions! Christians are called to steward all we have and all we do for the glory of God. Paul’s vision of stewardship is one of wonderful integration: no division of the sacred and secular, public life or private life. This verse is clear that even what we think is indifferent or insignificant has the possibility of bringing glory to God. What’s important to God is the heart and motive behind an action, not how brave or big it appears to someone else. A good steward seeks to be ruled not by selfish ambition, but instead, a posture of love and service to others, bringing glory to God — a foretaste of eternity.
God is our creator and therefore has entrusted us with everything we have. As followers of Jesus, we give our money, time and talents — our whole selves — in response to all God has graciously given us. God’s generosity is the model and roadmap for our generosity (1 Timothy 6:17–18). The more we look at our lives and realise how infinitely generous God has been, is being, and will continue to be, the more we can confidently trust that ‘every good and perfect gift comes from above’ (James 1:17).
Generosity in stewardship flows out of a living relationship with Jesus Christ. For example, consider giving financially to support the church: Scripture is clear that the kind of giving God desires is not that of compulsion, but rather a cheerful offering of whatever amount God has placed on our hearts. Giving should never be forced or grudging, but rather voluntary and cheerful: ‘Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves a giver whose heart is in his giving’ (2 Corinthians 9:7).
This verse also calls attention to the truth that stewarding all we’ve been given in a generous way will look different for each of us: what is generous for one person may not be truly generous for another. Rather than this being an excuse to warrant lacklustre giving, it’s an invitation to discern a personal definition of generous stewardship. This really will look different for each of us — giving financially is just one way of expressing generosity. Someone struggling financially or in debt, can express generosity in a non-financial way by serving on a team, praying for the church, or being generous with their time towards others.
No matter how different our generosity looks in practice, we worship God together in our giving (Hebrews 13:16). As a church, we celebrate corporately that God’s gifts are not separate from who he is, and we give cheerfully as a natural response to God’s character as giver and provider (James 1:17). In response, part of our worship is to be good stewards and lead lives of generosity; giving sacrificially, joyfully, and graciously. This in turn blesses others and supplies the needs of God’s people, it is also an act of obedience and trust. By doing so we relinquish control and say that it is God, not ourselves or anyone else, who ultimately provides for both our individual needs and the needs of Reality Church London.
Across the last five years of Reality Church London, we’ve spoken about wanting to cultivate a culture of generosity, in which each person in our church family is growing as a generous steward of all they’ve been given. God has been kind and is building his church through your generosity, as you steward funds in your giving to RCL, volunteer your time/skills in serving on teams throughout the church, and engage in praying together for the church. Praise God!
Reality Church London seeks to be beyond reproach in its management of income and distribution of funds. We maintain an open-door policy regarding finances, so if you’d like to learn more about the finances of Reality Church London, or if you have questions about giving, please feel free to contact us and/or visit our giving page here.
