Stewardship Vs. Ownership
Stewardship vs. Ownership
She proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. (1 Kings 17:15)
First Things First
In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed a theory that has since become famous as his Hierarchy of Needs. The theory holds that physiological needs such as food, water, air, shelter, and sleep are most important. Next are the needs for security, which include health and income. All other needs, he contended—such as love, esteem, and self-actualization—become important only after the physiological and security needs have been met.
Believing without Seeing
If Maslow’s theory has any merit—and most psychologists agree that it does—then the outrageously generous actions of the widow in 1 Kings 17 defy normal reason. But look at the result! Her oil and flour never ran out because she first gave what she had to the Lord’s service. God’s principles far surpass the limits of human understanding.
Everything we have belongs to the Lord (see Ps. 24:1). And whether we have plenty or not enough, we are stewards of what He has given us. Before we seek to meet our own needs—however we define need—we should first consider what God wants us to do with our resources. Even when we have good cause for not giving above and beyond what is normal for us, God may from time to time, want us to ignore our own reasoning and rely on His. It’s a matter of faith.
Bottom Line
There’s a balance between prudence and generosity. The key is recognizing what we have as gifts from God and seeing ourselves as stewards.