Church stewardship and cooperation in the new testament

In the New Testament, church stewardship and cooperation are essential themes that are woven throughout the teachings of Jesus and the early Christian community. Here are some key passages and principles that highlight the importance of these themes:

Stewardship:

  1. Matthew 25:14-30: The Parable of the Talents teaches that God entrusts each believer with various gifts, abilities, and resources, and expects them to use them wisely and productively.
  2. 1 Corinthians 4:2: Paul writes that as a steward of God's mysteries, he is accountable to God for how he uses his gifts and resources.
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:5: The Corinthians are commended for their generosity and willingness to share their resources with others, demonstrating their trust in God's provision.

Cooperation:

  1. Acts 2:42-47: The early Christian community is described as a cohesive and cooperative body, where believers shared their resources, prayed together, and broke bread in fellowship.
  2. Acts 4:32-37: The apostles and the early church are commended for their generosity and willingness to share their resources, demonstrating their commitment to the common good.
  3. Romans 12:3-8: Paul writes that believers are to use their gifts and resources to serve one another, and that each member of the body is essential to the functioning of the whole.

Key Principles:

  1. Gratitude and Trust: Believers are to approach their resources with gratitude and trust in God's provision, recognizing that everything they have belongs to Him (1 Corinthians 4:7).
  2. Stewardship of Time and Talents: Believers are to use their time, talents, and resources wisely and productively, recognizing that they are accountable to God for how they use them (Matthew 25:14-30).
  3. Cooperation and Generosity: Believers are to cooperate with one another, sharing their resources and gifts to serve the common good and advance the kingdom of God (Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-37).
  4. Accountability and Transparency: Believers are to be accountable to one another and to God for how they use their resources, and to operate with transparency and integrity (1 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 8:5).
  5. The Priority of the Gospel: Believers are to prioritize the spread of the gospel and the advancement of God's kingdom, using their resources and gifts to support this mission (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).

In summary, the New Testament emphasizes the importance of stewardship and cooperation in the life of the church. Believers are to approach their resources with gratitude and trust, using them wisely and productively to serve one another and advance the kingdom of God.