Belief #21. Stewardship

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Belief #21. Stewardship

We are God’s stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for their proper use. We acknowledge God’s ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow men, and by returning tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over selfishness and...

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[Chief]

Seventh-day Adventists view stewardship as managing God's blessings responsibly. This belief sees God as the creator and owner of everything, with humans appointed as managers of His gifts, including time, abilities, and resources. Proper stewardship, as outlined in the Bible, involves recognising and acting responsibly with these blessings.

Core Concepts of Stewardship​

1. Historical Stewardship: From the beginning, humanity was made stewards of God's creation, tasked with managing the Earth (Genesis 1:26, 2:15).
2. Character Building: Stewardship helps develop essential traits such as faithfulness, trustworthiness, loyalty, and accountability, highlighted through biblical teachings such as the Parable of the Talents.
3. Financial Stewardship: Money is a key focus due to its pervasive role in modern life. Tithing (a tenth of income) supports church ministries, reflecting loyalty and trust in God's provision.
4. Daily Stewardship: Beyond money, stewardship encompasses all aspects of life, acknowledging God's generosity through faithful service to others.
5. Gratitude: Genuine stewardship is rooted in gratitude, recognising everything as God's gift and serving Him through responsible management.

Adventists believe they honour God's trust, develop their character, and contribute to His work on Earth through faithful stewardship.