One can almost hear the turmoil in the voice of Shakespeare’s Hamlet when he sets his anguished jaw and proclaims “to be or not to be, that is the question.” Faced with the reality that his wicked uncle has murdered his father, Hamlet voices his famous soliloquy as he considers the options for dealing with the situation in which he finds himself.
While most people will never find themselves immersed in a situation like Hamlet’s, everyone must face the difficult task of choosing how to respond to the situations confronting them every day. For every believer, whose life is influenced by the veracity and guidance of the word of God, the “to-be-or-not-to-be” question demands a response. According to God’s word, human beings were created in the image of God, to care for the creation of God, by the will of God. We are created by God with the privilege of managing all that God created.
The correct question, then, is not “Shall I be a steward?” but rather “What type of steward shall I be?” If I am created in the image of God, how can I live and steward in a way that God’s image will be seen in me? As the image of God, how will I use my passion, talents, time, treasures, finances and testimony in a way that honors God’s image? What will my creator think about the quality of my stewarding (i.e., my stewardship)?
In confronting questions such as these in today’s economic climate, perhaps it would be helpful to consider three attitudes suggested in Hamlet’s soliloquy: giving in, giving up, and giving it all.
One option that Hamlet considers is to be noble and suffer through his “outrageous fortune.” This attitude could be understood as the “give-in” attitude. When you examine your current financial situation, your use of God’s gifts, and the state of the economy, you could just give in and take it on the chin. The “give-in” attitude seems to justify bowing to fate and allowing the media and financial data to determine the effectiveness of living as a steward created to do God’s good work. The creation and call of human beings to be stewards existed long before the financial markets or Dow. “Giving in” justifies doing nothing. “Giving in” worships at the altar of fear, not hope. “Giving in” denies others the giftedness that is in you and blesses no one.
Similar to “giving in” is “giving up.” For Hamlet, another option was simply “to die, to sleep.” He could avoid even thinking about responding, just lie down and close his eyes in oblivion to a horrible situation. When every day seems to bring more bad news and deeper economic woes, when markets plunge and savings fly like birds from their nests, when the economy threatens peace of mind or retirement security, giving up almost sounds like a good option.
How unfortunate that some of us give in or give up before prayerfully seeking better solutions to our needs!
There is, however, one more attitude that can be noted in Hamlet’s impassioned soliloquy. In Hamlet’s words, another option is “to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them.” This is the give-it-all attitude. This is the take-control attitude. This is the “let’s-do-something-about-this-situation” attitude. This is the “let’s-find-the-best-solution” attitude. This is the “I-can-do-all things-through-Christ” attitude. This is the “the-joy-of-the Lord-is-my-strength” attitude.
What in your life as God’s steward is confronting you with the need for the right choice? Is it learning the principles of stewardship? Do you need to decide to find release from the bondage of debt? Do you need to step onto the “Road to Financial Freedom”? Maybe you just need some help in Christian financial planning. In these difficult and uncertain times, no one can deny that stress levels are higher and employment levels lower than they have been for the last 25 years.
However, the source of your joy is not experienced in economic trends—downturns or upticks. There is great joy in knowing that in Christ you are part of an eternal kingdom whose economy is godly and whose rewards are heavenly. The joy in understanding what it means to be a steward of the living God is experienced in a daily walk and daily trust. God is still in control. There is joy in acknowledging the lordship of the one who calls you to be a steward. The journey of the steward to a more generous and serving life is a journey touched by grace, filled with love, empowered by God’s Spirit, made aflame with passion.
You are not alone as you read the news or watch the stock ticker. You are not alone in fear or confusion as the state of the economy looms like a gray cloud. You are not alone in wondering about what is around the next turn. You are not alone—your Creator, your Redeemer, your Indwelling Spirit are right there with you. Their motto is “we will never leave the faithful forsaken.”
You are also not alone because the Virginia Baptist office of stewardship development is available to help you become the steward God wants you to be and to help churches in these difficult or questioning times. Please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-255-2428, ext. 1223.
Don Campbell is director of stewardship development for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.