Money and happiness are not mutually inclusive. Will Rogers said, “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.”

Benjamin Franklin noted, “Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and triples that want in another way”.

Being a good steward begins with the blessing of God, but the fruit of good stewardship is how we use those blessings. Are we a conduit or do we stop the stream of God’s favor? Do we allow the river to flow or do we dam God’s supply?

This is an issue of management, not ownership. Are we to give only a little and hoard the rest for our own pleasure? Not at all! God expects us to use what we need (He has promised to supply our need), then to multiply and return the rest. Stewardship is trusting, knowing and disbursing His blessing. The blessing of stewardship is in the giving.

Your comments appreciated.

Content © Rich Brott, 2011

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