Ethical Stewardship
“If God was the owner, I was the manager. I needed
to adopt a steward’s mentality toward the assets
He had entrusted – not given – to me. A steward
manages assets for the owner’s benefit. The steward
carries no sense of entitlement to the assets he
manages. It’s his job to find out what the owner
wants done with his assets, then carry out his will.”
~ Randy Alcorn
Christians in the ancient region of Macedonia, despite being desperately poor and suffering for their faith, astonished the Apostle Paul when they refused to let their circumstances dictate their generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Paul, seeing their impoverished state, had chosen not to ask these struggling dear brothers and sisters to contribute to a collection he was organizing for needy Christians in Jerusalem. However, when the Macedonian believers heard about the opportunity to show their solidarity with the church in Jerusalem, they begged him to accept their donations. What struck Paul was that the Macedonians didn’t give out of pity or a sense of duty; instead, their response flowed from a deep relationship with God. Because of this connection, they felt a strong obligation to care for His destitute people.
Their example reminds us that the principles of stewardship apply to all believers, not just those with the financial means to respond. As followers of Jesus, we have a responsibility to serve the church in a variety of meaningful ways, regardless of our economic status. Dr. Eric Foley, the Executive Director for VOM Korea, often reminds me that God provides us with everything we need to accomplish what He has called us to do. As Christians, we can trust and follow the Lord’s guidance. This means that managing the resources He has given us – whether for our fundamental needs or ministry opportunities – is an essential part of our faith.
“Whatever you do, work heartily,
as for the Lord and not for men….”
~ Colossians 3:23 ESV
At VOMC, Biblical stewardship is a significant core value. We acknowledge that God, the Master Creator, has the absolute right of ownership over all things (Genesis 1:1). Yet, in His desire for human beings to partner with Him, He has assigned us to be managers of His creation and all aspects of life here on this earth (Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:9). Serving as His wise stewards prevents the waste and exploitation of His good gifts for selfish gain, ensuring they are celebrated and fulfill their divinely intended purposes for His glory (James 1:17-18).
The four principles below underscore VOMC’s commitment to ethical, Biblical stewardship:
- Firstly, stewardship is not achieved through human strength or ability, but rather by relying entirely on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, who guides committed followers of Jesus in all truth. It involves acknowledging God’s ownership of everything and honouring His mandate for us to manage these resources well. Through stewardship, we willingly participate in God’s good work – all the while, reflecting His character and advancing His divine purposes in a fallen world.
- Secondly, stewardship also requires being responsible to the government, VOMC board members, the ministry’s stakeholders, and our persecuted brothers and sisters whom we serve. As Godly stewards, we are to bear a profound sense of responsibility, carrying out our actions and decisions with all diligence and integrity. Such commitment reflects a deep understanding that every choice has significance; and, therefore, we must strive to manage the resources entrusted to us with utmost wisdom and care. Romans 14:12 reminds every believer that “…each of us will give an account…to God” (ESV). This accountability underscores the importance of managing the resources and responsibilities He has entrusted to us in a manner that truly honours Him.
- Thirdly, stewardship demands integrity with the use of our ministry resources. For instance, we aim to provide accurate statistics, verifiable facts and true testimonies in VOMC’s publications, blog posts, Persecution & Prayer Alert reports, and other awareness-raising efforts. By avoiding sensationalism, we can further ensure that the needs of our persecuted family members are presented truthfully and respectfully, without exploiting their situations for organizational gain or compromising their safety through excessive publicity. As custodians of the testimonies we convey, VOMC’s ministerial team handles all applicable information responsibly, sensitively and carefully.
- Ultimately, applying the principles of Biblical stewardship serves as a faithful witness to God’s sovereignty. It involves wisely managing the spiritual gifts, time, talents and financial resources that He has carefully entrusted to us. Therefore, carrying out His good works – with its widespread global ministry scope and tremendous diversity of needs – requires much prayerful contemplation and strategic planning. In essence, to be effective stewards of His spiritual and material provisions through our multiple initiatives, we must be faithful, wise, responsible and servant-minded. Equally important is the need for us to reflect Christ’s character as we fulfill these God-given duties.
In the book, Victorious Faith, Rev. Richard Wurmbrand wrote: “Crowned with Jesus, you are free from the worry of calculating results. You quietly follow your impulses, knowing that the law of God is written in your new heart. You know that God is as much your Father as He was the Father of Jesus Christ, and that He cares for every detail of your life.”
What comforting words for us to consider as we aim to honour our Heavenly Father through the wise stewardship of His wonderful gifts! It’s truly a blessing to know that as we strive to live for Christ, the Holy Spirit readily empowers us in our moments of weakness and eagerly supports us amid life’s challenges. My prayer is that as you faithfully steward God's gifts through the use of your time, talents and resources, you will witness the incredible growth of His Kingdom in ways that only He can accomplish.
All for God’s glory,
Floyd A. Brobbel
Chief Executive Officer
Voice of the Martyrs Canada Inc.
