We all are taught or instructed to give. Giving is considered as one of the noble act. We often ask questions like, how much I have to give. Or to which project I should help?

These questions pose an idea as if we are the owners of our resources. Who can give? Only a person who owns can give.

Human beings, according to the Bible, are stewards. “Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries” 1 Corinthians 4.1. Steward means manager. One who acts on behalf of someone else. A manager has no right tot act according to his/her plan. He/she is entrusted to fulfill the wish and plan of the owner. Managers act in the interest of the owners.

In that sense, are we acting as owners or as stewards? Do we own anything? The way we do with our resources often reflects as if we are owners of everything.

The Bible teaches us that God is the owner of everything. We are mere managers or stewards for Him.

The biblical God is a giving God. God spends his resources for the benefit of others. Even He was willing to spend/spare His Son for us. We ought to spend all our resources for human benefit and for the glory of God. The nature of God is to give abundantly. We are also expected to give abundantly.

Therefore don’t give as per our plan, give according to God’s plan, like the widow’s mite. She gave out of her poverty. “She out of her poverty has put in all she had to live.” Luke 21.4

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* I am indebted to The Rev. Francis H. Wade for the title.