Compassion: A 14-Day JourneySample

Stewardship Begins at Home God has ordained the family unit in part so that we can meet one another's needs. Few social structures, if any, have fed more widows, raised more orphans and encouraged more lonely elderly people than families taking care of other family members in need. For the believer, it is a matter of being like Christ and being an example to others. The Christian must see that the needs of his own family are met. Theologian and pastor John Wesley (1703-1791) considers: Not yet are we forbiddenÉto provide for our children, and for those of our own household. This also is our duty to do, even upon principles of heathen morality. Every man ought to provide the plain necessities of life, both for his own wife and children; and to put them into a capacity of providing these for themselves, when he is gone hence and is no more seen. I say, of providing these; the plain necessities of life; not delicacies; not superfluities--and that their diligent labor. Expository preacher Stephen F. Olford (1918-2004) weighs in on the issue. Paul uses family life to illustrate the importance of laying money aside as he spoke to the Corinthian church (2Co 12:14). For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents are for their children. In my pastoral counseling I have listened to many stories of tragic circumstances. Husbands have failed their wives, parents have cheated their children, and grown sons and daughters have neglected their widowed mothers or other dependents. Such shortcomings are soundly and solemnly condemned by the Word of God; in fact, such dereliction of duty is described as worse than infidelity. In light of the foregoing, it is certainly biblical and practical that savings accounts be established and insurance policies be taken out to cover the needs of dependents, emergency requirements, funeral expenses, and so on. Such financial matters should be openly discussed in every Christian household. With an open Bible and in an atmosphere of prayer, our tithes, offerings, expenses, and savings should be surveyed in a relation to personal, as well as general, income. Happy and healthy in the Spirit is the family that is united on all these matters. In the last analysis, every one of us is responsible to God in time and accountable to Him in eternity (Gal 6:2-10).