The riches and goods of Christians are not common as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as some do falsely boast.  Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

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Wealth is always a sensitive subject, which may be why the Bible has more to say about stewardship than almost any other topic. This Article asserts that God entrusts His resources to His People on an individual basis. Therefore, what each person owns belongs to them alone and not to anyone else, including the Church. Any Church that tries to assert a right to an individual’s possessions, their labor, or the fruit of the same, has shown by this that they are focused on building their own kingdom in this world, and are no longer focused on the Kingdom of God that is not of this world. 

However, God does desire that all Christians be wise stewards of His resources. This means investing and multiplying what we have been entrusted with, caring for our families, and sharing with others as we are able. The accumulation of wealth for its own sake is neither wise nor godly, any more than being wasteful in your spending; but wealth that is the result of wise stewardship, acquired through legal, ethical, and moral means, should be encouraged and celebrated. 

This economy of grace is the primary way that God chooses to supply for the needs of the ministry of His Church, and through the Church, the needs of the world. God is never lacking in the resources to supply for a need; the Earth is His and all that is within it. Too often, however, His People are lacking in faithfulness, industriousness, and innovation, waiting for someone else to solve the problems that God has already entrusted them with the ability to solve.

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Reflect on the following Biblical texts. What are your thoughts on the way they reveal this doctrine to us? Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader.

Genesis 14:17-24 

Numbers 34:1-29 (cf. Leviticus 25:1-55 / Exodus 22:1-15 / Deuteronomy 15:1-23 / Proverbs 13:22 / Proverbs 19:17 / Proverbs 21:13) 

Matthew 6:19-34 / Matthew 19:16-26 / Luke 12:13-48 

Matthew 25:14-46 

Acts 2:42-47 / Acts 4:32-37 / Acts 5:1-4 (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8) 

1 Corinthians 9:1-14 (cf. Galatians 6:6-10 / 1 Timothy 5:17-18) 

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 / 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

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Use the following questions to summarize what you have learned about this Article of Faith. Discuss your answers with your pastor/group leader. 

Whose possessions does the local church have a right to? 

How does this truth affect how we understand and support the local church with our financial and non-financial resources? 

How does this truth affect how we understand and support the ministry of the universal Church with our financial and non-financial resources?

How does this doctrine affect the practice of our faith? 

Notes: