Confession of Faith

The General MB Conference Board of Faith and Life has been in the process of revising the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith since 1993. BFL has completed a draft and is now in the process of gathering feedback. BFL invites your participation in this important process. This is the last of five reports focussing on the new or most significantly revised articles. The full draft has been sent to every North American MB congregation. Additional copies are available through the Internet at the following website: http://www.mbconf.org/

Article 15: STEWARDSHIP

God's Creation Mandate

We believe the universe and everything in it belong to God the Creator. God has entrusted the care of the earth to humans who are accountable for managing its resources. Good stewardship uses the earth's abundance to meet human need, but resists the unjust exploitation of creation. All God's gifts are to be received with thanksgiving and used responsibly.

Possessions

Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and wealth. To confess Jesus as Lord realigns values. God may bless with abundance, but affluence is not necessarily a sign of God's favor. The Scriptures warn God's people not to despise the poor. Preoccupation with money and possessions for personal advantage is evil. Luxurious living and eagerness to accumulate wealth are not in keeping with the teaching of Scripture. God's people live responsibly by sharing possessions, helping the needy, and investing their resources in the reign of God.

Generosity

The Scriptures teach cheerful, systematic, and proportional giving in grateful response to God's goodness. The Old Testament prescribed tithes and offerings to express gratitude to God. Jesus and the apostles called for generous giving. Believers are encouraged to give offerings through the congregation for local and global ministries.

Gen 1:28; Lev 25; Deut 15:7-11; Ps 24:1; Pr 14:31; Amos 6:4-7; Mal 3:6-10; Mt 6:19-21, 24-34, 25:14-30; Lk 6:38; 12:13-21; 1 Cor 4:7, 16:2; 2 Cor 8-9; Gal 6:7; Eph 4:28; 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17-19; Js 2:1-7, 5:1-6; Jude 11

We confess that everything in the universe belongs to God, but we often live as though we should accumulate as many of those things as possible. The article on stewardship serves to remind us of the ways things should be.

Stewardship is an all-encompassing concept. Every aspect of life ultimately belongs to God. Time and talent should be used for God. The environment deserves our care because it is God's handiwork.

How we as Western Christians use money is a very good indicator of our true values. Jesus Himself taught that possessions will determine the direction of the heart. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, encouraging giving to the point of equality among believers (II Corinthians 8:13-14). Though the New Testament does not repeat the Old Testament tithe laws, cheerful generosity is commanded.

The opening paragraph outlines the basic scriptural rationale for stewardship: God, the Creator and Owner, has entrusted humans with the care of the created order.

The second paragraph seeks to reflect the biblical ambivalence about possessions. True, God may bless with wealth. On the other hand, Jesus and the prophets warn against selfishness. According to the Bible, accumulation is dangerous. Luxuriousness is wrong. The ambiguity caused by cultural norms is no excuse for selfish living.

The third paragraph describes the biblical call to proper use of possessions. Wealth is to be given away. Giving produces blessing—for the giver and the receiver.

Questions to ponder

1. Is the biblical basis stated with sufficient clarity and comprehensiveness?

2. Are we willing to confess what the Bible teaches even though it may confront our own unfaithfulness?

3. Does the proposed article adequately indicate that the New Testament calls for greater generosity than the Old Testament tithe?

Please send responses to: Board of Faith and Life, c/o Herb Kopp, 200 McIvor Ave., Winnipeg, Man. R2G 0Z8, email: lynnj@tcnet.tabor.edu

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