Second in a Series

We need to steward the prosperity we create at work, not just pocket it. But what’s the best approach?

First, let’s define what prosperity is: a condition of wealth.

Defining Prosperity and Stewardship
What exactly does prosperity, or wealth, mean to you? Is it money? Possessions? Leisure? True prosperity, true wealth, encompasses much more. Priceless blessings include our health, a free society, beauty of nature, the pleasure of friendships and the joy of helping others. Have you set artificial limits on your concept of prosperity?

Now think about stewardship. Stewardship is the administration of wealth. How do you define stewardship? Saving? Investing? Protecting? Strong stewardship is all this and more:

• We push past ourselves to serve other people.
• We deny some of our wants to meet some of the world’s needs.
• Strong stewardship is a critical component in building God’s kingdom, here and now.

In a spiritual sense, we own nothing and steward everything. God calls us to steward our wealth, and God shows us how. We begin with gratitude for what we have. We proceed with determination to serve others, as well as ourselves.

How to Succeed in Stewardship
Success in stewardship is all about technique. It’s about mastering the fundamentals. It’s about giving generously of our time and harnessing the best of our talent. It’s about sharing our treasure.

You’ve heard these words before: time, talent and treasure. But have you ever really lived them?

Think about time. ALL of us have exactly the same 24 hours in a day. Yet some people are much more generous than others with those 24 hours. Some people really show up when you need them; others disappear into the woodwork.

Think about talent. Harnessing talent is at the center of successful stewardship. People give their best service where they’re best suited. This is how we give God our greatest “return on investment.”

Think about treasure. God doesn’t just recommend that we share financially. He commands it! In Malachi 3:8-10, God says, “You rob me . . . in tithes and offerings. You are under a curse because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, 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.”

Making a Difference
How much have you contributed to that storehouse?

• Are you giving time?
• Are you harnessing talent?
• Are you sharing treasure?

When we combine these three stewardship techniques, we create a greater good. We make a difference, as well as a dollar.