Genesis 41:41-57
Joseph is put in charge of the financial affairs of Egypt. Anticipating a famine, Joseph stores away 20% from each of Egypt's 7 years of abundance, so that Egypt is financially prepared to face the famine years.
This text offfers to us a very practical lesson about good stewardship. The word "stewardship" refers to a very special kind of call that God gives to all us. The root word for stewardship, steward, means care-taker. From the very beginning of the bible, in the Garden of Eden, we hear that God desires to be in partnership with us as care-takers of all the gifts of His divine provision. We are called to be good stewards of the earth and all creation, of time and boundaries, of the talents that make us unique, and of the finanial treasures that provide our "daily bread". God encourages us toward better stewardship practices by forgiving our sins, (our debt to Him), and through His Word, in which we learn that God will always provide more than enough of all that we need for life, love, and happiness. God has already provided an abundance of all that is needed for every human being to be given their daily bread. On the macro level, world hunger is not a providence problem. It is a stewardship problem. Likewise, on the micro level, a poor retirement plan is not a providence problem, but a stewardship problem.
Joseph was chosen by the king to serve as his personal steward of all the gifts of the kingdom. What an honor! Likewise, when you were baptized, you were chosen by God to serve as His personal steward of all the gifts of His Kingdom. What an honor!
So, how well are you doing?
Do you share your abundance with those who have none?
Are you saving now to prepare for your famine years (retirement, disability, etc.)?
If you're feeling a little discouraged after assessing your own financial stewardship, you're not alone. Statistics show that most of us in this culture struggle with good stewardship practices. We live beyond our means, and we have little left at the end of the month to share with others who really need it. Fortunately, God is a good steward. His forgiveness is never in short supply, nor is His gift of daily bread.
If you'd like to be a better steward, then today is a good day to consider making some changes. Start by confessing to God your particular struggles with good stewardship, then ask Him for help and guidance to make some changes.
Heavenly Father, give us this day our daily bread, and deliver us from evil, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
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