Stewardship

Growing up in Crystal, everyone else in the neighborhood had their driveway tarred or paved with cement. We didn't. We always had gravel. My dad just didn't think it was worth the money.

We followed that example when we owned a home in Taylors Falls. For us at our home, paving was something we could could do without. Not that it wouldn't have been nice. Maybe not having good surface to dribble a basketball is one reason none of my kids got into that sport.

When the county decided to pave our road, however, we gladly paid the assessment. It was great! Our kids now had a good dead end road to ride on! I don't think paving is always bad. It's a matter of choosing where to spend our money. It's a matter of stewardship.

Good stewardship principals teach us that what we own doesn't belong to us. Everything belongs to God. We simply allocate what is on loan to us. Every dollar is a decision. How, heavenly Father, would you have me use this dollar? And this one? And that one...

I learned this from my parents. Their example was founded in scripture. Mom and dad taught me, from very early in my life, to divide my allowance or earnings into three areas: for the Lord first, then for savings, then for spending.

When we proportionally allocate our income and assets, we do well in so many ways. We are able to care for those in need. We are less likely to squander our money foolishly on short term pleasures or homes and cars that are just too expensive. And, especially apropos now, we are better prepared as individuals and as a community for hard economic times.

It's not always easy to change the way we give and spend and save, so beginning soon our church will offer a group study on the subject. I encourage you to bring a friend and come to an informational meeting in the church library Sunday, March 1st or 8th after our first hour of worship at 10:00 a.m. or after our second hour at about 12:10. You can also call or email Al Sorenson, a member of our church who will lead our class. He has experience coaching individuals and families using programs through Crown Financial Ministries.

There is no catch. Al has nothing to sell.

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Note added Friday: Because Al will be on the men's retreat this Sunday, the informational meetings have been moved to the 1st and 8th of March.