Wes Holmes

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:7-11

Brothers and sisters, we are stewards. To be a steward means someone has entrusted you with authority to represent their will and purpose in the world. It means that nothing entrusted to you is actually yours. A steward’s job is only to serve the will of his master. Christians, you and I are stewards of God’s grace.

The passage above deals with exercising spiritual gifts, but it also applies to how we think about money. Indeed, what you do with your money is a spiritual decision. How you use your money shows what you value, what you love, what you worship. And if we have received our money from God as His gift to us, then we are to steward it “in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”

“But, I worked hard for my money!” True. And who gave you the knowledge, the ability, the skill, and everything you need to do that hard work (Daniel 1:17)? God did.

“But, bills are high and finances are tight!” Perhaps. And who promises to provide all you need even when it looks like there’s no chance in the world (Matthew 6:33)? God does.

“But, it’s my money and I can do with it whatever I want!” Is it? Who grants you every good and perfect thing (James 1:17), apart from whom you can do nothing (John 15:5)? God.

We are to be stewards of God’s gifts. Part of what that means is that we use our money in a way that furthers His purpose and will in the world. Our wealth is not simply for our comforts, desires, and pleasures. These are not bad things. But do you realize that nothing that you have ultimately belongs to you? You have received everything you have as a gift of God’s grace. Yet, how easy is it to live as if we are the masters and God is the servant?

The amazing thing is that our Lord and Master has served us; he sent His Son to bear the awful burden of our sin and perfectly fulfill His Law so that we might be the recipients of a tremendous grace: the eternal riches of a heavenly inheritance (Titus 3:7). If God Himself has so cared for us, how can we help but serve Him even if we only have a little to offer?

We are stewards. We don’t give anything to God that isn’t already His. So if He calls us to be cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7), let us give generously to Him for the purpose of His kingdom with joy and gratitude for all that we have in Christ. “The end of all things is at hand,” and we’re not taking anything with us.

For JVC’s 2022-2023 budget year we have a standing deficit of $26,966. I would encourage you to work toward giving at least 6% of your monthly income even as we aim for 10% and beyond. However, this last month our giving was $30,009, nearly double our average for the last 10 months.

It’s so encouraging to see that many of you have responded to our need and even given gifts above and beyond your normal giving! Thank you for your willingness to trust the Lord with your resources and be stewards of what He has given you. May He be praised in and through us as we shine the light of His Gospel together in the Salt Lake Valley.

Ways to give:

• The easiest way to give is online.

• You may drop a check or cash in the offering boxes in the sanctuary.

• You can also mail a check to the church or drop one in the offering box.

We’re praying for you all as you seek to grow in this grace, living as stewards of our gracious God.

In Christ,
Pastor Wes