Financial giving is part of our spiritual act of worship. As we surrender our resources to the Lord, we demonstrate our trust in His supply, His direction, and His provision for our lives.

Think of yourself as the manager of a trust. You have been given a key role and a great responsibility, so make the most of it. God Himself has entrusted you with time, money, material things and great opportunities. Your objective is to maximize the investment of all that has been put into your hands.

Think of each day as an opportunity for service and stewardship. Time is a precious commodity and we have a limited allotment of days, hours, and minutes. Ephesians 5:15-16 advises, "Be careful, then how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity." It’s similar to the popular motto, carpe diem, the Latin admonition to "seize the day." But the believer’s motto is actually carpe diem por deo – "seize the day for God." In other words, live every day expressly for His glory and His purposes.

Think of money as a means to an end, not the end itself. The allure of money is strong and pervasive. It permeates our frantic, workaholic, culture; but it brings no lasting fulfillment. It always creates a thirst for more, unless one has the right attitude toward it and determines to manage it rather than be manipulated by it. In the final analysis, the hallmark of stewardship is administration, not acquisition. Only by pursuing the goal of pleasing God do we find true pleasure and satisfaction for ourselves.