Teaching Stewardship

I grew up in a home where, while my parents weren’t poor, we had quite a bit less than any of our neighbors. My parents tell me that as a young boy I was puzzled by the fact that we were the only family on the street that didn’t have a maid. Sure, there were lots of things I wanted to have while I was growing up, and I was disappointed when I didn’t get them. But my parents passed on something far more valuable – their example. They taught us the difference between needs and wants, constantly reminding me that most everything I begged for because I needed it, was at its roots only something that I wanted. I hated hearing that lesson then, but am extremely grateful for it now. They taught that everything is God’s and should be used according to his rules of stewardship and for his glory. They modeled thrifty living and generous giving, without ever becoming boastful about either. And they taught me that living hand-to-mouth isn’t such a bad way to live when the hand feeding my mouth belongs to God.