My God and my money

A personal giving creed called “My God and my money”

In looking through my “Stewardship” file I came across this personal giving creed, which I found helpful to reflect on. I have no record of an author.

God is the creator of all things and he calls me to live in a positive relationship with Him.
He has entrusted us with His creation and my lifestyle must reflect my responsibility for His trust.  He has forgiven my failures and has set me free to enjoy a purposeful life as one of His people.  I must therefore:

·      Exercise wise stewardship of the natural resources of the world.

·      Not knowingly cause another person to lose so that I may gain.

·      Live happily with money as a useful commodity which will never gain mastery over my life.

I am pleased that God calls me to be a giver because generosity reflects God’s nature and honours Him. I therefore believe that:

·      I am accountable to God for the way in which I acquire and use all of my income and assets.

·      I must give regularly and meaningfully to the work of my church and the life of my community.

·      The scriptures teach me the principle of percentage giving and I know my chosen percentage will be dependent on my faith and love for God and my neighbour.

·      I must make a habit of renewing my chosen percentage to ensure that it reflects my growth in faith and is a joyful response to God and His love.

·      I am called to make bequests for God’s work so that my stewardship continues after my death.

·      I should keep myself informed of the financial affairs of my church and community and I hope that I will be challenged regularly with new opportunities for commitment and service. At the same time my motive for giving will always arise out of my faith and will not simply be a response to man-made goals.

May God give me the grace and the strength to do all these things and may my life be a prayer to Him.

Yours in Christ

Graham Keech