Stewardship

For the month of September, we are doing a church wide study of stewardship. I think like everyone else, I get a slight knot in my stomach when we start talking about money,  because it's one of those subjects that isn't openly broached outside the four walls of our house.

We've been doing our best to go through the nightly journal, and it's given us some great time to openly talk about how we spend, save and give. It took me about .002 seconds into day one to figure out to me, money = security. If we just saved a little bit more, spent a little bit less, I would feel better. I wouldn't have anxiety when my car starts making a weird sound or Namath needs immediate knee surgery (ha). A secure life is always justwithin grasp...

So needless to say, this quote in Sunday's worship guide hit me hard.

"We want treasures because they give us security. But because of decay (moisture, rust, thieves...), treasures lead us to security's opposite - anxiety. Because our riches bring us into constant war with decay, they do not bring us rest. It is a great service of Jesus, therefore, to liberate us here from anxiety about gain. Jesus teaches the truest "liberation theology." 

                                                        - Adolf Schlatter 

Inherently, there is nothing wrong with seeking financial security. Just as there's nothing wrong with a lot of the things we place importance on. It's the gray area when it goes from being a good thing to being one of the most important things. 

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth...."

If everything comes from God, how am I using what He gives me?

Would someone else use it better?