Genesis 1:26-28, “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

The creation narrative recorded in scripture communicates a marvelous truth, God created humankind “in his image.” This is commonly understood as a way of understanding what is unique about us like our ability to love, reason, and our capacity and need for relationship. Of course, these all are true, but there is more to it.

In the ancient world, it was believed there were many gods. It was common for people to fashion “images” of these gods in the form of statues. The idea was that you could look at the statue and have some idea of what that god was like. Perhaps even get a hint at the character of the god.

In other words, the whole purpose of the image was to convey key attributes of the deity. And so, when God forms humans “in his image” it means we are to convey to the world key attributes of the one true God.

As image-bearers we are to bear witness to the character of God to the world.

Immediately after saying we are made in God’s image, the scripture says that we are to have dominion over the earth. Taken by itself, without consideration of being an image-bearer, it would be easy to take hold of the word “dominion” and understand “exploitation” or “selfish rule.” But, if you take into account that as his image-bearers we are to convey the character of God to the world, having dominion means we are to manage the resources God gives us according to his will and purposes in the world.

Image-bearing & stewardship are connected ideas. In fact, I would say that a huge part of properly bearing the image of God is to practice good stewardship of the earth and the resources God has given us! You and I have been given all kinds of things to manage like our influence, skills, time, energy, education, and of course, our money. What we have to realize is that God is the source of all those things. So, when we understand our identity as image-bearers and take that with our commission as stewards we realize the first principle of our financial life.

  • God has ownership. I have stewardship.

When it comes to teaching on proper stewardship in our lives there have typically been two approaches that are opposite and extreme.

The first is the Prosperity Gospel which says that God wants to bless you materially as a sign of your faithfulness. Thus, any lack of material blessing points to a lack of faithfulness of your part.

The second is the Poverty Gospel which says that we are called to live the simplest of lives and hold everything in common. This means we should always seek to reject ownership in favor of sharing housing and possessions.

I would like to suggest that good stewardship is a proper balance between consumption, production, and giving.

Consumption has gotten a bad reputation in the Church because we don’t want people coming to church with what we pastors call “a consumer mindset.” However, the Bible is never against consumption or the enjoyment of food and material things.

  • 1 Cor. 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink (both activities of consumption) or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
  • James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…”

The Bible isn’t against consumption. God does warn us about consumption that is out of balance, but it never calls us to not consume. The question is not, “Should I consume?” The question is, “Am I honoring God in my consumption.”

The Bible also calls us to meaningful production.

  • Eph. 4:28, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”
  • 1 Tim. 5:8, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Part of being an image-bearing steward is to reflect the God who gets involved. We should seek to work hard at something we love and then do it will all our heart to the glory of God! Whether is it teaching, art, music, technology, design, or cooking. Doing these activities produces something good in the world and often (although not always) is connected to income. So, work is a good endeavor that gives us an opportunity to produce something good for the glory of God.

When we give, we reflect the character of God who is a giver! Giving resource away for the good of God’s kingdom is not an Old Testament thing or a New Testament thing, it’s a believer thing. We reflect the image of God in the world when we give!

Here is one way to think about the balance:

  • Consumption = spending money.
  • Production = making money.
  • Giving = giving money to other people, organizations, causes

Stewardship is making sure you’re level of consumption isn’t outpacing your production, and allows you to give in obedience to God.

For more resources on stewardship, download these resources from Emmaus Road, a church in Fort Collins.

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Stewardship Prayer: O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.