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 all people,
who are responsible for managing its resources. Good stewardship
uses the earth's abundance to meet human need, but resists the
unjust exploitation of the earth and its peoples. All God's
gifts are to be received with thanksgiving and used responsibly.
Responsible Living
To confess Jesus as Lord transforms values. Jesus warns that
we cannot serve both God and wealth. Preoccupation with money
and possessions, self-indulgent living and eagerness to accumulate
wealth for personal advantage are not in keeping with the teaching
of Scripture.
Generous Giving
The Bible teaches cheerful, sacrificial, and proportional giving
through the church in grateful response to God's goodness. Christians
do not claim any of their possessions as their own, but manage
all their resources, including money, time, abilities and influence,
in generous ways that give glory to God. They do not despise
the poor but practice mutual aid within the church and share
what they have with others in need. God's people seek to embrace
a lifestyle of simplicity and contentment.
Genesis 1:28; Leviticus 25; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Psalm 24:1;
Psalm 115:16; Proverbs 14:31; Amos 6:4-7; Malachi 3:6-10; Matthew
6:19-34; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 6:38; Luke 12:13-21; Acts 2:42-47;
Acts 4:32-37; I Corinthians 4:7; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians
8-9; Galatians 6:7; Ephesians 4:28; I Timothy 6:6-10; I Timothy
17-19; James 2:1-7, 15-16; James 5:1-6; I John 3:16-18; Jude 11.
