How Christians use God given resources of time, talent and possessions can affect the intimacy of their relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. In Matthew 25:21 and Luke 16:11, Jesus suggested that only when we handle financial resources faithfully can we enjoy the true riches: a close relationship with Christ. A fundamental truth of growing in the abundant life with Christ includes being a faithful steward of the resources God has provided for us to manage. 

There are many things that compete for our time in busy daily schedules. There are many distractions that keep us from discerning God's will for our lives and investing our God given gifts in ministry. Money competes with Christ for our affection and the lordship of our lives. Although our nation is facing some very serious spiritual and economic problems, the central problem facing Christians is our lack of trust in relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives. And the primary competitor with Christ for Christians' affection is money.

In Matthew 6:24 Jesus said that it is impossible to serve both God and money. You cannot love both. In essence, one must be loved and the other hated. Unfortunately, because Christians have not been equipped to apply God's financial principles, most are not aware that they have chosen to serve money instead of God.

God has given us more than 2,350 verses in the Bible to instruct us how to manage our money, assets, and resources. In fact, the topic of money is second only to the topic of love in the number of times the Word of God confronts the subject. Jesus said more about money and possessions than almost any other subject, dedicating over two-thirds of his parables to the subject.

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus proclaims his Great Commission. Within that commission, Jesus commanded his followers to go to the farthest corners of the world and to evangelize, baptize, and teach, "making disciples of all nations." Part of that discipleship admonition was for his disciples to teach the converts all that he had commanded them, and a major portion of this dealt with money and stewardship.

We live in a pivotal moment in history. Never before have advances in travel and technology given us the ability to communicate the gospel so efficiently to all nations.

However, most American Christians are spiritually struggling with time management and financial issues and are so encumbered by debt that they do not feel the freedom of the Gospel to help live out the Great Commission with their time, talent and money. Thus, the Great Commission has been hindered and frustrated, and too many Christian families all over America have become enslaved by exaggerated lifestyle, entertainment, lenders and credit cards.

For God's people to follow Jesus' teaching and example and live his Great Commission, we need to grow in our willingness to be directed by his Word, including learning, teaching, and trusting the message of biblical stewardship.