Being Faithful Stewards of What We Don’t ‘Own’

When we hear someone speaking about money – a preacher, radio ministry, or TV evangelist – many of us have the same reflexive reaction: We reach protectively for our wallets, literally or figuratively. ‘It’s my money, and don’t tell me what I’m supposed to do with it!’

However, if we believe what the Bible says, we realize it’s really not ‘my money.’ One passage in particular makes this clear: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and earth belongs to You. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of all. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).

 

And that’s not an isolated statement. In another passage, God declares, “I have no need for a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills…. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it” (Psalm 50:10,12). As someone has said, if God needed anything, He could just sell one of the cows.

 

The Scriptures teach that rather than being owners, we’re stewards or managers of the resources the Lord entrusts to us. In one of His many parables, Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:14-30 told the story of a man preparing to take a long journey. Before leaving, he called his servants together and put his property into their care. He gave to one of them five talents of money, another two talents, and to a third he gave one talent. Perhaps based on his confidence in their management capabilities.

 

Sure enough, the first two servants invested the money and earned a substantial gain, while the third simply dug a hole and buried the single talent he’d been given. Upon returning, the master met with the servants to see how they had handled the money. The first showed he had put his five talents to work, earning five more, while the second had added two talents to what he’d been entrusted with.

 

Both were praised by the master who said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things….” Their diligence would be rewarded. The third servant, however, had only the lone talent to return to his master, who wasn’t happy. At the very least, he said, “you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.”

 

The principle behind this parable is one we can apply not only to money, but also to the skills, gifts and experience God has entrusted us with, as well as time and opportunities He sends our way. As the apostle Paul instructed followers of Jesus in ancient Corinth, “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

 

This is the real test of how we handle ‘our money.’ Are we being faithful in how we use it, seeking to spend it wisely and not frivolously or wastefully? And also exhibiting generosity, especially when presented with needs of others that we can help to meet? 

 

It’s the giving part that many of us struggle with the most. Admittedly, with so many worthwhile causes deserving of support, it can put us into a quandary trying to determine where our contributions should go. That can be a matter of prayer, but the Scriptures tell us what’s most important is our attitude. “Each one must [give] as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). He doesn’t want us grumbling as we write checks or enter our credit card numbers.

 

But along with the importance of obedience and having a cheerful, generous spirit, there’s another motivation for our charitable giving. God promises to bless us for it.

 

In Proverbs 3:9-10 we’re instructed to, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, and the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” If we’re faithful to give as God guides, we won’t need to worry about running short in our ability to meet our own needs. The apostle Paul offered this assurance: “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

 

I remember interviewing Stanley Tam, a philanthropist known for giving much more than the 10 percent tithe that’s often debated in Christian circles. In fact, he reversed it – giving away 90 percent of his income and retaining only 10 percent. How could he do such a thing? It was easy, he explained: “I shovel it out, and God shovels it in. And the Lord has a bigger shovel.”

 

Benefits from giving shouldn’t be confined to a material perspective. The Bible doesn’t guarantee if we donate $10 that we’ll get $10 or more in return. What we can count on are blessings beyond a financial measurement. Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). When we give to worthy causes, the recipients aren't the only beneficiaries; we also experience the joy of being part of God’s plan to helping others.

When we get over the idea of it being ‘our money’ and recognize God is trusting us with His resources, we’re freed up from a lot of worry and can worship the One “from whom all blessings flow,” in the words of the Doxology. 

Spiritual Growth – A Matter of Inflow and Outflow

Growth in the natural realm can be a bit of a mystery. Take a boy for an example: As an adolescent he may be one of the shorter members of his class; then he hits the teenage years and shoots up 5-6 inches within just a few months. “What have you been feeding that kid?” friends might ask.

 

Or planting a garden, cultivating the ground and sowing seeds you hope will supply you with vegetables throughout the summer. For a while it might appear that nothing is happening – other than the growth of some pesky weeds. Then suddenly you see some sprouts, and within a matter of a few weeks you’ve got your own personal farm. How this growth occurs seems a bit mysterious; nature seems to work according to its own schedule.

 

Spiritual growth might be perceived as similarly mysterious. Some people seem to have a close walk with God, possessing a clear understanding of what the Scriptures teach and living it out every day in a fairly consistent manner. Meanwhile others are just muddling along. They attend worship services, may be part of a small group, even read their Bibles, but their growth seems stagnant or stunted.

 

What’s the difference?

 

It’s not such a great mystery. In presenting what’s sometimes known as the “parable of the shrewd manager,” Jesus Christ indicated it’s a simple matter of being faithful to use what we already have, whether it’s a little or a lot. He stated, “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who can entrust you with true riches?” (Luke 9-11).

 

On the face of it, this is a teaching about stewardship of money and material riches. But as Jesus said, it also applies to “true riches” – eternal, heavenly treasures of which He said at another time, “where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20).

 

What does it mean, as another translation expresses it, that “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones”? One thing it means is that if we are not willing to use and put into practice the spiritual truths and ‘riches’ God entrusts to us, He’s not inclined to provide us with more. Why should He give us more if we’re wasting what we already have?

 

There’s an encounter early in Jesus’ earthly ministry that seems to illustrate this. Speaking to a woman at a well outside the Samaritan city of Sychar, Jesus made this astonishing declaration after He had asked her to give Him a drink from the well: 

“If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would ask Him, and He would give you living water.” A bit later in this spontaneous conversation, He asserted, “…whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again…the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life” (John 4:7-14).

 

Initially, the woman had understood Him to be referring to actual water, good ole H2O. Then she realized the conversation had taken a spiritual turn. He was offering her “living water…springing up within for eternal life.” This evokes the image of a spring of water bubbling up and flowing outward, accessible to anyone who wants it.

 

Commenting on this passage, devotional writer Selwyn Hughes posed this question: “Do fresh springs flow out of us day after day? If not, why not? The answer is simple – there can be no outflow unless there is an inflow. This is the rhythm of the Holy Spirit – intake and outflow. If there is more intake than outflow, then the intake stops; if there is more outflow than intake, then the outflow stops.”

 

For years I’ve referred to this as “God’s Spiritual Sponge Principle.” Just like an actual sponge that’s become saturated must be squeezed out before it can soak up more liquid, as ‘spiritual sponges’ we’re allowed by God to absorb only as much of His truth as we’re willing to put to use in our everyday lives.

 

I like how Philemon 6 is expressed in an older edition of the NIV: “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

 

This doesn’t mean we need to grab our Bibles, find a street corner somewhere and start preaching from it to everyone who passes by. (Although it could, if God were to lead someone in that way.) But as 1 Peter 3:15 instructs, we’re to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

 

Another verse says every believer should be willing to “Preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction” (1 Timothy 4:2).

 

‘But I’m not ready. I don’t know enough yet,’ someone might be thinking. Maybe that’s because that person hasn’t been faithful to share whatever biblical truth and understanding the Lord has already provided. As Philemon 6 suggests, as we’re “active in sharing [our] faith,” then we’re able to gain “a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” And as we learn more, we become better equipped to communicate what we believe.

 

Years ago, I had been trying to memorize a particularly lengthy Bible verse but couldn’t retain some portions of it. Then I decided to read and share it with someone I worked with – a non-believer. I didn’t do so to proselytize but figured it wouldn’t hurt for him to hear it. Before long, I found I could recite the passage verbatim; I’ve talked about it with other people many times since.

 

There are many ways of sharing our faith beyond personal evangelism. Talking about God’s Word with family members at home. Or telling our small group what a certain passage has meant to us. In a discipling or spiritual mentoring relationship, we’re doing the same when discussing the meaning and application of a specific verses or section of Scripture.

 

Any time we chat with others about what the Lord has been teaching us, or how He’s been working in our lives, it’s an opportunity to ‘squeeze our spiritual sponge,’ making room for God to entrust us with more of His “true riches.” Balancing the inflow and outflow.

Practical Teaching About Money That We Lack

Education is a great thing, but sometimes I wonder if we’re being educated about the wrong things. 

 

For instance, during my college career I was required to take two science courses. Since I had already taken biology, for some reason I signed up for an introductory class in geology. The professor was a real snoozer, and to this day I can’t tell you the difference between a rock and a mineral. I also had to take Economics 101 but can’t recall a single fact or principle I was exposed to during that course.

 

Those disciplines obviously are of great value for future geologists and would-be economists, but for me as an aspiring journalist they were of no use at all. The English and journalism classes I took were most valuable, but I wish that among the prerequisites for graduation there had been instruction in practical life skills. Like how to handle your personal finances.

 

When I read about college athletes still in their teens signing multi-million-dollar contracts to play professional sports, I have mixed feelings. They’re entitled to earn a substantial income by using their athletic skills and expertise – but what does a teenager or even young 20-something know about how to handle money? Especially a lot of it? They certainly don’t learn about that in college.

 

College students would benefit greatly from instruction about basic things like handling a checking account, properly using credit cards, developing a consistent savings plan, and even understanding the essentials of investments.

 

In my case, after graduation my financial naivete resulted in accumulating a significant amount of credit card debt. After being ‘awarded’ my first credit card, I thought I had it made, being able to buy whatever I wanted. I didn’t need cash. I knew nothing about how interest on credit cards accrues. Or that those items I bought “on sale” would ultimately cost me twice as much or more.

 

It was years later that I realized the oppressive power of debt. My greatest teacher on personal money management became the Bible. One lesson I wished I had learned earlier was, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). Irresponsible indebtedness, of which I was guilty, not only left me with bills I struggled to pay, but also severely restricted my ability to purchase things I needed. Long before I bought my first house, I was mortgaging my future.

 

I also knew little about the value and importance of saving money. Like many folks, I was living from paycheck to paycheck with little thought of saving for future needs and unexpected expenses. Years later I discovered the wisdom of setting aside a small portion of my income. A Christian financial advisor showed me that “…he who gathers money little by little makes it grow” (Proverbs 13:11).

 

While I was a newspaper editor and publisher, I made the mistake of cosigning on a loan for a staff person. I won’t get into the details, but it was a step I unwisely thought I had to take at the time. Later I learned the biblical warnings against accepting responsibility for another person’s debt: “Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you” (Proverbs 22:26-27).

 

The potentially adverse consequences of cosigning are so great, several other passages in Proverbs address it. For instance, Proverbs 11:15 cautions that “He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.”

 

Proverbs 6:1-4 is even more direct: “My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another…. Go and humble yourself…. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.” Eventually I was able to extricate myself from my surety obligations, but in the process had to endure a lot of unnecessary stress.

 

But the greatest lesson of all the Bible taught me was about financial stewardship and ownership. Like many people, my attitude had always been, ‘It’s my money. I can do whatever I want with it.’ Then I read this prayer of King David which puts wealth and possessions in proper perspective:

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things…” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).

 

This taught me that ultimately, I own nothing. God entrusts us with money and material resources, but we’re to serve as managers or stewards, not owners. As such, we are responsible to the Lord for our financial decisions. 

 

Writing not only about material possessions but also spiritual wealth – “the secret things of God” – the apostle Paul wrote, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

 

If I had learned common sense stuff like this in college, I could have avoided many challenges and a lot of unneeded worry. But what collegiate textbooks didn’t teach me I did learn from the greatest book of all, the Word of God. As David wrote in another psalm, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Our Attitude Toward Money Depends on Who We Think Owns It

Attitudes toward money can be curious. We all would like to have more of it. Many of us envy those with more than we have, especially the so-called “uber-rich.” Some people complain it’s unequally distributed, and something should be done about that. And yet, if someone asks about our money – how much we earn, how much we have saved, or what our net worth may be – they’ve trod on taboo territory.

 

We can talk about money so long as we don’t encroach on someone else’s financial turf. The green-eyed monster of jealousy for what others possess can suddenly turn into the green rage of, “My money is none of your business!” In church, whenever the pastor introduces the subject of money in a sermon, many of us reflexively reach for our wallets. “It’s mine!” we think defensively.

 

It seems to be a universal tendency, regardless of whether one is near the top of the economic strata or the bottom. A frequently cited story recounts a news reporter’s interview with a fabulously wealthy industrialist. At one point the reporter asks him, “How much is enough?” To which the rich man replies, holding his thumb and index finger slightly apart, “Just a little bit more.”

 

To be honest, I’ve been among those inclined to safeguard my wallet – figuratively if not literally. After all, I spent many long hours earning my money. Shouldn’t I be the one to decide how to use it?

 

I was convicted about this recently while writing an article about a highly successful and wealthy professional man who died a couple years ago. As I interviewed family members and friends about his legacy, I learned he was extremely generous with his time, talents, and yes, with his financial resources.

 

In fact, after the man’s passing, his daughter found a sheet of paper in his wallet. On it he had written two Bible passages he had carried for years. They highlighted what the Scriptures teach about money. Both were from the Old Testament, but seemed as fresh and relevant as the eggs Henrietta Hen laid today.

 

One of them was Deuteronomy 8:17-18, which says, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

 

The other was 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, as paraphrased in the Living Bible. The passage declares, “Yours is the mighty power and glory and victory and majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone, and You are the Ruler of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and it is at Your discretion that men are made great and given strength.”

 

These verses concern more than our wallets and bank accounts, but they affirm a simple truth: God owns it all. Everything. One hundred percent. He just graciously allows us, as stewards, to manage resources He entrusts to us. 

 

This is why debates over the tithe in essence are moot. We often hear folks questioning whether the Old Testament teachings about the tithe apply to us since we’re living under grace, rather than law. Even if we concede the validity of tithing in principle, many of us then ask, “Do we have to literally tithe 10 percent?” And if so, “Do we tithe on our gross income – or the net?” Giving, no matter the amount or percentage, is essentially returning to God what He already owns.

 

I don’t have the spiritual gift of giving, which I believe means God continually giving some people unique opportunities to distribute His money. He shovels it in as fast as they can shovel it out. But over the years I’ve learned giving is about perspective.

 

Suppose some wealthy person comes to you and says, “I want you to manage some of my finances.” Whether you know anything about that or not is beside the point. What matters is what he or she says next: “Here’s the arrangement – all I expect is 10 percent back. You can keep the other 90 percent, every penny, to do with as you see fit.” Wow! Talk about a good deal!

 

To make this proposal more tangible, suppose the rich individual entrusted you with a million dollars and only required that you do your best to bring about a good return. He or she gets $100,000 plus whatever gains you can generate, and you get to keep the remaining $900,000 plus investment proceeds on that. If you know of anyone interested in making that kind of deal, tell them I’m available.

 

The good news is this: We already can know someone like that. His name is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. I’m not talking about the so-called “health and wealth gospel.” Nowhere does the Bible say, “God wants you to be rich.” At least not in a material sense. But Jesus did affirm, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10). If we demonstrate faithfulness and diligence in using what God entrusts to us, don’t be surprised if He entrusts us with more.

 

In fact, this is the message in the last book of the Old Testament. God offers the promise, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this…and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10).

 

In the four Gospels, Jesus spoke as much – or more – about money and material possessions than any other topic. He explained why: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). As we see so often in the Scriptures, God is as much concerned with our motives as He is with our outward actions.

So, whether we tithe or not, gross or net, that’s a matter solely between us and the Lord. But recognizing that all our material resources, whether much or little, truly belong to Him – and that we’re only stewards of what He’s given to us – will revolutionize our attitudes toward money. 

No Need to Stew Over Stewardship

Are you playing your life like a game of Monopoly?

When your pastor announces his sermon is about stewardship, or your church celebrates “Stewardship Sunday,” how do you respond? Many people immediately reach protectively for their wallets or make sure their purses are close by. After all, it’s all about getting more of your money, right?

I have felt that way at times. We’ve just paid the bills, bought the groceries, did our usual charitable giving, and then I hear a message that we’re not giving enough. “That’s easy for you to say,” I think. “You don’t see our budget and expenses.”

Actually, there’s a lot more to stewardship than being asked to share some of your hard-earned cash. Ultimately, our lives in total represent forms of stewardship. We’re given 24 hours each day – how are we going to use them? We receive an education – how are we going to use it? We have unique skills, gifts and talents – what are we going to do with them?

The temptation is to clutch tightly to whatever we have, not just our financial resources but also our time, material possessions and talents. “They’re mine, and I can do with them whatever I want!” we reason.

The problem is we tend to approach this life as if there’s nothing else. That we need to squeeze every dollar and minute for our personal satisfaction. In reality, however, this life we know so well is just a hint, a taste, of what’s to come. In fact, the Scriptures tell us, “’What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Jesus had that in mind when He cautioned His disciples and others listening, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

Then He explained why this is so important: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Again, some may interpret this as a statement about our material resources, but looking at the scope of Jesus’ ministry on earth, it’s clear He had more in mind than bank accounts, portfolios and leisure spending.

When he was president of CBMC, a parachurch ministry I worked with over two decades, Ted DeMoss often quoted this brief poem:

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past –

Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

It was a frequent reminder that we needed to review our priorities and make certain we were investing not only our treasure, but also our time and talents for eternity. As someone has said about Christ’s admonition to store up treasures in heaven, we can’t take anything with us when this life comes to an end, but we can send things on ahead.

I recently heard speaker and pastor J.D. Greear use two analogies for the folly of concentrating too much on what we have in this temporal life and failing to appreciate what we can do that’s of eternal value. He said it’s like renting a motel room and engaging in a costly renovation of the space, even though we’re only going to be there for a brief time. Bigger sink, replacing the carpet, new furniture. Wouldn’t that be foolish to spend money, time and effort in refurbishing something we’ll be leaving in a day or two?

His other example was the popular game of Monopoly. Fierce competitors cruise around the board buying everything of value, from Boardwalk and Park Place to the railroads and utilities, multiplying houses and hotels. They smile smugly when other players stop on their properties and have to pay rent. This might go on for an hour or two and then…everything goes back in the box. Game over – and nothing to show for it.

For some of us, that’s how we play this game called life. We devote our energy and resources to things that won’t last, while ignoring opportunities to invest in things that do. If asked to take a stewardship test, chances are our grades wouldn’t be very high.

So when we next hear the foreboding term, “stewardship,” maybe it’s not a pitch for our money. Rather, it might be a timely reminder that the things God has entrusted to us should be used for His glory – and His eternal kingdom. As the little poem says, “Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Giving – and the Federal Budget

If pastors ever want to ensure low attendance some Sunday, all they have to do is announce the week preceding that they’ll be preaching on tithing. Messages about money attract congregants like vinegar attracts honeybees. “All they want is money,” is a common complaint uttered by some about the contemporary church.

We don’t like being told how to handle our money, whether by the clergy, parents, friends, or sometimes, even our spouse. After all, it’s “my money,” isn’t it? I have every right to do with it as I choose, don’t I?

Whose money is it, anyway?

I don’t intend to explore the concept of tithing, but one principle has helped me over the years in not maintaining such a tight grip on my wallet. As a friend explained, from a biblical perspective it’s not “our” money. We are not “owners” of our possessions, including our cash and bank accounts, but stewards – or managers.

In His so-called Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus told of a wealthy man who, before leaving on a journey, entrusted talents (some money) to his servants. He asked them to manage the money in an appropriate way during his absence, and upon his return, they would give an account of what they had done with it.

Two of the servants invested the talents wisely, doubling the amounts that had been entrusted to them. Both were commended for their stewardship and then informed they would be given even greater responsibilities: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21.23).

The third servant, however, did nothing with the money entrusted to him, choosing instead to hide it until the rich owner returned. His explanation? “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground” (Matthew 25:24).

None of these servants owned the money in their possession, but still were expected to put it to good, productive use. In a similar way, we might work hard to earn our paychecks, but ultimately the money is not ours, but God’s. Our skills, abilities and gifts come from Him. He simply asks us to be wise in how we manage or use our financial resources. And if He asks us to give a portion of that directly to help in advancing His eternal kingdom, is that too much to ask?

This principle reminds me of how “our money” – the taxes we pay to the Federal government – are being used. We often hear, from both Democrats and Republicans, about the “government” funding various projects, ranging from education to highways. Our elected officials, from the President to members of Congress to those who serve at the local government level, seem to view themselves as owners of tax revenues, authorized to use the funds as they choose.

But lately there’s been a strong pushback, taxpayers complaining that in reality the government – Federal, state and local – has no money of its own. They note that in a real sense, government leaders are basically managers – stewards – asked to use the funds entrusted to them with wisdom and frugality.

Government seems to have stepped into the role of the wealthy man in the Bible, described by one of his servants as “a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed.”

This isn’t advocating non-payment of taxes. In fact, I believe all U.S. citizens have a responsibility to pay their fair share to support functions of government, ranging from law enforcement and emergency responders who come in times of need to road crews that pave our streets and fill in potholes. If God has prospered us financially, we have an obligation to help in supporting not only His work, but also the public works from which we all benefit.

But wouldn’t it be nice if our elected officials took their own stewardship more soberly? That rather than spending tax monies like drunken sailors, heedless of budgets and growing deficits, they would realize they have merely been entrusted with tax revenues – resources provided by American taxpayers? That they have the responsibility for using them with great care and discretion, rather than acting as if they’d been given a blank check for unconscionable, reckless spending?

‘Let’s Get Physical!’

Commitment to consistent exercise is hard work, but the compensation in terms
of physical well-being makes it worthwhile.

One advantage of advancing years is perspective. When you’re young, you feel invincible, convinced you’ll live forever. You’re care-free, fearing nothing. (Maybe that’s why so many young people text while driving.)

As you get older, however, life’s hard knocks start adding up. You discover the saying, “Stuff happens!” is true. As with everyone else, you realize immortality isn’t your destiny.

Some days you wake up feeling great; life couldn’t be better. The next day, your shoulder’s sore, your neck has a crick, your knee aches, your back’s stiff. Welcome back to reality.

If we’re wise, we take steps – literally – to remain healthy and fit for as long as possible. We don’t want to be like the senior citizen who, in very advanced years, moaned, “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself!”

Combining cardio activities with moderate
weight training can lead to well-rounded
physical fitness regardless of age.

I just finished my medical circuit – annual physical, visits with cardiologist and cardiothoracic surgeon. Thankfully the test results were good, but I know I’m bidding time. The day will come, like it or not, when the wear and tear from years past become evident.

But we can still strive to enhance our physical lives by exercising, eating right, taking medications if needed. That’s Dr. Arthur Agatston’s message in The South Beach Heart Program, a book I found helpful after my open-heart surgery in 2006. He doesn’t promise that by following his advice you’ll live forever – but you will stay healthy longer.

There’s an even better reason for addressing our physical well-being: Stewardship. We might think, “It’s my body, and I can do what I want to,” but our bodies are only “on lease.” God gave them to us, and as stewards we’re responsible for taking care of them as best we can.

For instance, the Bible asserts, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (That admonition, by the way, doesn’t authorize us to build a “bigger temple”!)

The Scriptures acknowledge life’s temporal nature: “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” (2 Corinthians 5:1). In other words, don’t get too attached to our physical bodies, our “earth suits.” We don’t get to keep them. 

Nevertheless, we’re expected to care for what we’ve been given. God might have created mankind out of clay, according to the biblical account – but it was His clay!

That’s why for the past five years, I’ve taken my own advice: Three days a week of rigorous cardiac rehab classes, and power-walking 2-3 other days each week. Also, eating better than I used to, and taking my meds. And so far the effort and commitment have paid off.

I’ve adopted this simple motto: “I hate to exercise…but I love to have exercised!”

My Take on Retirement

Recently I read an article in which experts speculated on how much a person will need to retire and still live comfortably. What struck me was they weren’t talking about people in their 60’s or 70’s. They were projecting the requirements for a person to retire at age 35!

Holey moley! Imagine going to college, earning only a bachelor’s degree, and then actually working at most about 14 years (excluding any part-time work during high school and college). Who in good conscience could work just that short duration and being content to sit back, engage in distractions for the next 35-50 years, and cease making a meaningful contribution to the world around them? Perhaps that seems like heaven to you, but I can’t fathom such a non-productive existence.

It would be nice to be financially secure, not having to fret the next paycheck, but there must be more to life than pursuing a point of continual self-gratification. Not that work should be the primary focus of our lives, but vocation is one way we contribute meaningfully to society.

On the other hand, I also read Germany is contemplating upping the national retirement age to 70 – and its citizens are grousing. The German government’s rationale is the low birth rate (meaning those retiring would leave an unfilled void in the labor pool); longer life expectancies, and the country’s already overburdened welfare system.

Now 62 and an older Baby Boomer, I know many of my generational counterparts eagerly anticipate kicking back from the daily work grind. I understand aging takes a toll on energy, strength and stamina. But for people to retire completely while able-bodied and able-minded seems terribly wasteful.

Interestingly, the Bible addresses retirement only once. Numbers 8:25-26 says, "at the age of fifty, they (Levites) must retire from their regular service and work no longer. They may assist their brothers…but they themselves must not do the work.” So Levites (Israelite priests) were to perform formal rituals between 25 and 50, then defer to younger men – but even then they were encouraged to assist or even mentor their successors.

In Genesis 1, we read God established work and gave mankind stewardship over His creation. He gives everyone different abilities, skills and gifts, not only for livelihood but also for serving others. We often hear about conserving natural resources – and I agree that’s important. But what can be a greater “natural resource” than the wisdom and experience of older workers – accountants or plumbers, medical practitioners or sales people, carpenters or teachers?

As we get older, we might need to transition into less-demanding jobs requiring fewer hours, but suddenly ceasing to offer our talents and capabilities for the benefit of others, in my view, is both selfish and irresponsible.