Christ-Centered Stewardship in a Consumer-Driven Culture: Part 1
The following interview with Randy Alcorn, conducted by Joshua Becker, was excerpted from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website.
Joshua Becker: For over 25 years, you have been writing and speaking, inviting the church to live out Christ’s teachings on money and possessions. Based on your experience, what are some of the most dangerous misconceptions the American Church believes about money?
Randy Alcorn: I believe the most dangerous misconception is the idea our money and possessions belong to us, not God. Many of our problems begin when we forget that God is the Boss of the universe. But in fact, He is more than the boss; He is the owner.
From beginning to end, Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God’s ownership of everything: “To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it” (Deuteronomy 10:14). When I grasp that I’m a steward, not an owner, it totally changes my perspective. Suddenly, I’m not asking, “How much of my money shall I, out of the goodness of my heart, give to God?” Rather, I’m asking, “Since all of ‘my’ money is really yours, Lord, how would you like me to invest your money today?”
As long as I hold tightly to something, I believe I own it. But when I give it away, I relinquish control, power, and prestige. When I realize that God has a claim not merely on the few dollars I might choose to throw in an offering plate, not simply on 10 percent or even 50 percent, but on 100 percent of “my” money, it’s revolutionary. If I’m God’s money manager, I’m not God. Money isn’t God. God is God. So God, money, and I are each put in our rightful place.
Joshua Becker: I am a firm believer in the subtle, idolatrous nature of wealth—that its pursuit, accumulation, and possession can have silent, harmful effects on our relationship with God. Jesus said it like this, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” In what specific ways have you seen wealth keep Christ-followers from fully experiencing God’s kingdom? How might we recognize if we are falling into its subtle trap?
Randy Alcorn: If we understand the dangers of materialism, it will help liberate us to experience the joys of Christ-centered stewardship. Jesus speaks of the “deceitfulness of wealth” (Mark 4:19). The psalmist warns, “Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them” (Psalm 62:10). The dangers of materialism are far-reaching. We should not think that we’re immune to the value-changing nature of wealth.
Materialism blinds us to our spiritual poverty. Jesus rebuked the Laodicean Christians because although they were materially wealthy, they were desperately poor in the things of God (Revelation 3:17-18). Puritan Richard Baxter said, “When men prosper in the world, their minds are lifted up with their estates, and they can hardly believe that they are so ill, while they feel themselves so well.”
Materialism is a fruitless attempt to find meaning outside of God. When we try to find ultimate fulfillment in a person other than Christ or a place other than heaven, we become idolaters. According to Scripture, materialism is not only evil; it is tragic and pathetic (Jeremiah 2:11-13).
How can we recognize if we’re falling into materialism’s trap? Christ’s words were direct and profound: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). What we do with our possessions is a sure indicator of what’s in our hearts. Jesus is saying, “Show me your checkbook, your credit card statement, and your receipts for cash expenditures, and I’ll show you where your heart is.” What we do with our money doesn’t lie. It is a bold statement to God of what we truly value.
Put your resources, your assets, your money and possessions, your time and talents and energies into the things of God. As surely as the compass needle follows north, your heart will follow your treasure. Money leads; hearts follow.
Faith & Finance Perspective
Consider the last four words above: Money leads; hearts follow. At first, it may seem a bit presumptuous—or may ring with a somewhat accusatory tone. But it’s just an iteration of the Scriptural truth mentioned a few sentences earlier: Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
What’s your gut response to this Biblical admonition? Is your heart at peace? Somewhat defensive? Or maybe a little . . . heavy? Our initial reactions reveal much about the position of our hearts. The confidence that Christ and His Kingdom are my first love and worthy of all I am and have will set your heart at peace. The assumption that my money and possessions are mine to do with as I please will likely ignite defensiveness. And the conviction that my heart is not where it should be when it comes to money and possessions will often move you toward repentance.
The majority of us live in the latter. The good news? There’s much hope for us! God may love a cheerful giver, but He also loves a penitent heart. That’s something He can work with!
If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me. - Jeremiah 15:19