Stewardship Versus Hoarding, Part 2
July 13, 2008 – 6:25 am
I’ve been struggling with a question for quite some time now: Where do I draw the line between saving for the future and hoarding?
This is the second part of a two part series on this topic. You can find the first post in this series here.
Am I giving up a blessing?
Am I missing out on a blessing because I’m not giving more? I am a believer in the tithe and have witnessed the blessings that can come from from being faithful in this area. To this day I believe the Lord helped me find and marry my wife at least partly due to being faithful in this area. Am I missing out on further blessings by not doing more though? I recognize that I’m not giving in order to receive, but I think that I may be too focused on the temporal than the eternal.
I should have peace about these decisions
I can tell I’m not fully trusting God because I’m clearly not at peace on this issue. I think my brain is getting in the way of what my heart tells me to do. I can also tell I’m not fully trusting in God because I tend to worry when the market takes a tumble. I’ve been slowly reworking the last part of my retirement portfolio to move to index funds, which will reduce this anxiety and allow me to essentially forget about these funds. My plan is to only buy, never sell, but even following intelligent investing guidelines doesn’t necessarily tell me if I am placing too much emphesis on the future rather than helping spread God’s word (through giving) today.
I’m Supposed to Provide For My Family
I accept that all provision is ultimately from God. He gave me skills that earn a fair wage, and I desire to use those means wisely. From my study of the Word it is clear that I am responsible for taking care of my family, as well as others in need. Saving and investing is prudent and is mentioned several times throughout the Bible, so the need to plan for the future is clear.
I struggle with finding the correct balance among competing objectives:
- be a good steward
- make preparations for the future, but don’t be anxious about the future
- plan for the future, but set your plans before God knowing that your plans will only occur if He wills it
- take care of my family as well as help support those in need
- help fulfill the Great Commission (spreading Christianity), which given my own gifts and skill most likely involves giving monetary gifts to reach this goal
Am I Building Bigger Barns?
The parable of the rich fool has been rattling through my brain for a few months. He was blessed with wealth and decided to build a bigger barn to store his crops and then proceed to live a life of leisure. God called this man a fool.
I wonder if early retirement is really a goal I should be seeking, and if so will the things I do in retirement help fulfill what God desires from me? I don’t plan to retire early at the moment, but it is possible that this opportunity could present itself at some point in the future. Although it’s fun to dream about not having a full-time job, for me I don’t think I would be all that productive without some level of clear responsability. I could use a little R&R, but ultimately I think my retirement years could be quite fruitless. Sure I could volunteer at the church, work as a part-time teacher or student, etc. Actually, I could do those things part-time now and still work full-time. Assuming I still have marketable skills at 60 though, I wonder if I would be more helpful by continue to work at my full-time job and using those funds to help the church and those in need? Assuming I could retire at an “early” age 60, I would hope by that point I would be making enough each year to help out quite a few people.
So am I building bigger barns, trying to save more and more each year for some unknown date in the future? And am I spending too much time planning for the future such that I’m:
- missing out on blessings?
- too selfish?
- I’m making plans for the future without inquiring about God’s will?
- searching for security through monetary wealth?
Clearly I don’t know the answers to these questions, but I do have a plan of action:
- Study the Word
- seek God’s counsel through prayer
- I need to identify a spiritual mentor to help keep me accountable and show me things I can’t see in myself
- I need to set a maximum retirement savings goal rather than a minimum
- I need to take steps to increase my giving. As with the tithe, I expect that a slow, regular progression will work best for me rather than larger one-time gifts.
- I need to make sure my wife and I are in tune with each other in this area
Thoughts?
Image Credit: Dean Forbes
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One Response to “Stewardship Versus Hoarding, Part 2”
I really appreciate your blog. Unlike many frugal or financial sites, we have the Christian life as a common and important link – and it does provide a different worldview on stewardship.
#1 – give thanks!!!!! – you’ve mentioned in another post that you are young. I am over 50 and much nearer retirement age, and still do not have “enough” savings or retirement. While this is not an anxiety for me, I do commend you to thank the Lord for His goodness to you – He is generous, good and wise.
Before I was debt-free, on a budget, owned my own home — I would impulsively give to others when I felt prompted, and never felt a tinge of regret in doing so. It was not practical by any financial guru’s sense, but I’d rather have the blessing and the foundation of relationships over the years – than the right amount of money (who knows that future?)
Both the deacons in my church, and a financial mentor have been a huge blessing – providing needed gifts over the years and an accountability for how I spent my money. As you say, regular tithing is a cornerstone, and provides a great witness to others as well.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
By sharon on Jul 31, 2008