Preparing To Serve: A Biblical View Of PovertySample

#### Stewards of a giving God In Psalm 24:1, the psalmist makes a bold proclamation: “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” In a society that places so much value on our own stuff, this radical verse reminds us that we own absolutely nothing. While we are not owners, God has given each of us the sacred responsibility of stewardship, of caring for His creation. In Genesis 1:28, God commanded Adam and Eve to “fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Like our other relationships, our connection with created things was also warped in the Fall. Too often, we act not as faithful managers but as tight-fisted owners, staking our claim on something that was never truly ours. Because we all have different resources, stewarding them looks different for each person. In Luke 21:1-4, we see an incredible example. A widow on the margins gives all she has—just two copper coins—earning praise from Jesus for giving out of her poverty. While God doesn’t always call us to give everything we have, as did the widow, He does call us to acknowledge that everything we have belongs to Him—and, thus, to give generously. When we reflect on all that God has done for us and the tremendous sacrifices He has made to bring us into His Kingdom, we can gladly give of our time, talents, and material resources—because they were never truly ours. It becomes a privilege to emulate our God of bottomless love, generosity, second chances, and redemption. As the body of Christ, we are called to reflect God’s image to the world around us. If Christ’s followers around the world would practice stewardship with overflowing joy and gratitude, how could the world help but notice? Ask God to show you any areas where you’ve acted as an owner instead of a steward. How might you use the resources God has given you to show His love to others? Thank you for completing this plan! For more devotionals by HOPE International, visit [ www.hopeinternational.org/youversion ](http://www.hopeinternational.org/youversion) .