Freedom Ministries International and Evangelist Timothy Paul Posey, take a Biblical view to Stewardship which we will attempt to explain in the following document.
The reason that we believe that we must define our understanding of the word stewardship is because today in most churches stewardship is something that is taught when there is a tremendous financial need. We feel that this is unfortunate, because the word stewardship has become nothing but another word for fundraising. In the process the true impact of stewardship is lost and there is a developed misconception that stewardship is only for those with a lot of money or possessions.
Therefore the first thing that we must define is the word steward. A steward is anyone who manages resources that are owned by another. Stewardship, then is the active management of those resources which have been entrusted to us. This trust given by the owner to a trusted manager. Trust which includes rules, provisions, guidelines or expectations as to what is to be done with the owners assets. The steward understands that one day a report must be given to the owner as to how the resources have been used.
In scripture it is clearly revealed that God is the owner of everything. Yes, my things and your things, are not ours, they are God's things! Once we understand that incredible fact, we understand that every individuals resources, money, and possessions are not owned by themselves but by God. Every person is a manager. The wealthiest diamond merchant owns no more than the poorest of the poor. Every person is simply a manager of what God owns.
I know this runs counter to the culture, it runs counter to our humanity. It is our desire to own. Ownership is a highly valued secular economic principle. Yet God's design is stewardship, not ownership. So how do you become a mature steward? It is good to know that the Bible is very clear on this subject.
The workshop in which "Stewardship", (the management of another's resources) is matured and perfected is in the workshop of giving. We have often heard others say “It is better to give than to receive.” Giving, for most people, is a discipline that matures into a grace. For some, it is a gracious gift of God’s spirit. The grace and gift of giving have little to do with quantity and everything to do with the steward’s effective management of God’s resources.
For us as Christian ministry leaders attempting succeed in fund development it involves much more than meeting the budget. The donors are much more than a potential source for more money. Every person who donates is a partner steward, learning and growing in the grace of giving. Our ultimate goal as a receiver of funds is as those funds are sought that we stimulate that stewardship maturity, rather than just wringing another dollar out of your pocket. We understand that we will increasingly benefit from you our donor only as you are blessed with the full impact of the joy of using God's funds for those efforts which are close to His Heart. You become our partner in ministry! It is the growth of our partnerships and your growth as an obedient steward in the grace or gift of giving that unlocks the potential for significant financial, prayerful and personal involvement.
We understand that as you grow in partnership with us and in spiritual stewardship maturity, your desire will be to completely understand and identify with our ministry. We believe that this produces the quality of commitment that unleashes lay energy for expanded ministry. However, it also opens myself as the ministry leader to a broader responsibility for constructive accountability and communication that feeds stewardship growth.
We call this mutual commitment where all parties in the transactions related to God's resources give and receive so that each of us is more qualified than before to manage God's resources in a manner that reflects His value system. In such a commitment, the giving and receiving is elevated to a true spiritual act and freed from the potential of manipulation and abuse.
We sincerely hope that this helps you to understand the ministry of Freedom Ministries International, Inc. our beliefs and values concerning stewardship. Any questions or comments may be directed to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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