Introduction
Nowadays, the majority of people are focused not only on creating wealth but also on accumulating and retaining it, prioritizing self-centered needs. Indeed, many people are focused on their personal needs and desires. However, creating wealth should not be limited to personal gain and individual aspirations.
In contrast, creating wealth can be associated with encouragement and the establishment of community sustenance. In such cases, wealth serves as a means to support local communities and families who struggle to provide for their loved ones, whether through food, shelter, or other essential opportunities. In other words, wealth can be viewed not only from the perspective of accumulating material possessions, but also as a God-given ability to serve others and bring glory to God.
When considering incentivizing and delivering community sustenance, several concepts retrieved from the Scripture can be identified. The principles of benevolence, stewardship, and knowledge may be used not only to accumulate riches but also to assist local community people, which is one of the constituents of God’s mission.
Deuteronomy 8:18
Before discussing biblical concepts, it is crucial to address the issue of community sustenance and its prevalence worldwide. In prosperous environments, the primary challenge during the climate change period is reducing excessive consumption to slow global warming (Venugopal & Chakrabarti, 2022). Research has made significant strides in understanding the variables that encourage or restrain hyperconsumption in affluent settings over the last decade (Venugopal & Chakrabarti, 2022).
To sustain their consumption, poor populations worldwide often rely on nature-based livelihoods, including forestry, agriculture, and fishing (Venugopal & Chakrabarti, 2022). It is estimated that hundreds of millions of people in rural areas of developing nations are affected, where sustaining adequate consumption levels is primarily dependent on nature-based livelihood systems, such as agriculture (Venugopal & Chakrabarti, 2022). As a result, the issue of community sustenance is evident worldwide, in both developing and developed countries, making it a pressing problem.
One primary piece that illuminates the people’s duties is seen in Deuteronomy 8:18. According to the scripture, one should “remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
Here, the primary purpose of the piece is to consider God’s purpose and his principles, and let the Lord’s principles govern one’s life. People should understand that their talents and resources originate from God and that they should utilize them to further His goals while they are generating money (Johnson, 2019). In other words, creating wealth can be difficult, but one should not forget about using it wisely and in accordance with the Lord’s will.
Developing Skills and Abilities
One way to help create wealth for community sustenance is through the development of one’s skills and abilities. According to Proverbs 22:29, “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.” This piece reminds everyone that with perseverance and an emphasis on expertise and skills, one can achieve excellence and success. Moreover, such success and achievement will be evident through working with people in positions of authority. As a result, in such a situation, there will be more opportunities to contribute to the community and help those in need.
What should be understood at this point is that although there are many immoral ways in which power may be utilized, it is not inherently wrong. God frequently uses influential people to further his global goals. For example, in accordance with the Lord’s will, Joseph was appointed to protect his people from hunger, and Obadiah was appointed to serve as palace governor to protect a hundred prophets (Dunlop, 2019).
Generally speaking, gatekeepers who provide intellectual direction and control within various realms of social life are responsible for shaping and transforming the world (Dunlop, 2019). One develops expertise in their field and eventually works for the industry’s rulers. Therefore, to give forth strength for the benefit of others and the expansion of God’s kingdom, one must work diligently rather than hoard it for oneself.
Concept of Stewardship
Another concept that helps understand how wealth for community sustenance can be created is the concept of stewardship. People often hear the term’ environmental stewardship,’ which pertains to the ethical utilization and preservation of the natural world through environmentally friendly techniques and mindful resource management (Church of the Ascension, n.d.). The careful and responsible administration of whatever has been entrusted to one’s duty is known as stewardship (Ong & Goyder, 2019).
In ancient times, the steward was responsible for overseeing the master’s possessions (Church of the Ascension, n.d.). Stewardship in the Scriptures refers to the utilization and management of the assets that God gives for His glory and the benefit of His creation (Church of The Ascension, n.d.). In other words, being a steward of God’s will implies respecting his mission and putting his interests above one’s own.
Such a concept is crucial for sustaining the community’s wealth for two reasons. First, the Christian stewardship perspective claims that Christians are expected to be God’s faithful stewards in his purposes of creation, salvation, and cleansing (Dockery & Wax, 2019). According to the apostle Paul in Corinthians 4:1, “Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” The “mysteries of God” refer to the reality of God’s strategy to deliver humanity through Jesus Christ (Church of The Ascension, n.d.). In other words, the Christian perspective implies that stewardship allows one to follow God’s plan and promote prosperity.
Second, by following the concept of stewardship, people become rewarded by God. According to Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus shared the parable in which God entrusted several servants with the same amount of money. As a result, those who managed to use the money effectively were “given more, and [had] an abundance.” Meanwhile, those who did poorly were punished and thrown “outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The parable reminds others of accountability before God, and the way in which resources will be used will be reflected in God’s actions.
Concept of Generosity
Ultimately, the concept of generosity can be viewed as a crucial element in creating wealth for the sustenance of the community. The act of giving and receiving is a universal subject that encompasses more than simply generosity (Schellenberg, 2018). The Bible provides several illustrations of how it may be used widely (Schellenberg, 2018).
One way to see how others are rewarded for being generous is explained in 1 Corinthians 9:6-11. According to the piece, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (Corinthians 9:6-11). Everyone should contribute what they have determined in their hearts to offer, without hesitation or under pressure, since God appreciates those who contribute (1 Corinthians 9:6-11). This verse highlights that any generous individual is capable of creating wealth.
Along with the necessity of improving skills and knowledge and remaining a steward of God’s will, supporting the community’s sustenance can only be achieved through benevolence. While contributing to the community, sharing time, money, and efforts, many opportunities emerge. Such circumstances will emerge since one “will be enriched in every way so that [they] can be generous on every occasion, and through us [their] generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (Corinthians 9:6-11). As a result, one is rewarded by the Lord for being open to other people’s needs.
Conclusion
Therefore, the values of generosity, responsible management, and skillfulness can be applied not just to amass wealth but also to support members of the local community. Deuteronomy 8:18 is a key passage that clarifies the people’s responsibilities. The work’s main goal was to encourage readers to think about God’s plan and his guiding principles and to allow those values to guide their daily actions. By improving one’s talents and abilities, one can contribute to the creation of riches for communal nourishment.
The concept of stewardship is another idea that helps in understanding the means by which money for communal subsistence can be generated. Ultimately, generosity can be considered a crucial component in maintaining a community’s wealth. The Lord rewards those who are receptive to the needs of others.
References
Church of The Ascension. (n.d.). Good stewards.
Dockery, D. S., Wax, T. (2019). Christian worldview handbook. B&H Publishing Group.
Dunlop, J. (2019). Budgeting for a healthy church: Aligning finances with Biblical priorities for ministry. Zondervan.
Johnson, J. E. (2019). Missing voices: Learning to lead beyond our horizons. Langham Creative Projects.
Ong, B. H., & Goyder, M. (2019). Entrusted: Stewardship for responsible wealth creation. World Scientific Publishing Company.
Schellenberg, R. S. (2018). Subsistence, swapping, and Paul’s rhetoric of generosity. Journal of Biblical Literature, 137(1), 215-234.
Venugopal, S., & Chakrabarti, R. (2022). How subsistence communities reconfigure livelihood systems in response to climate change: A coupled-systems perspective. Journal of Macromarketing, 42(2), 292-307.