God has given us many of warnings in the Scriptures of being good stewards of what He has entrusted to us. Years ago, when I was in debt, God gave me this message for my journal:

"What is a steward? A steward is a simple messenger responding to a call to come to the Master's house to pick up a package for delivery. The messenger is to take the package with care, protection, and diligence and complete the mission given. The package does not belong to the messenger. It belongs to the Master. What is in the package is not as important as caring for the package and with all diligence, completing the mission with excellence. It is none of your business to know the Master's motives, what is in the package, or details of the person to whom you are giving it; but to simply deliver the package in the same condition it was given to you. It is only a thief who will take from a package that does not belong to him. Stephen, this is why the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He wants all of My packages to arrive empty and destroyed. If I truly own everything, it means he will attempt to destroy everything I give you to steward. Do you see, My son? Being a good steward of what I give you does not have anything to do with being perfect with what I give you. It has everything to do with the mission I have placed behind the gift itself."

God has to simplify His Word for my frail and weak mind. This illustration was simple and to the point, but it worked. Two years later, I was completely out of debt.

I have selected the following passage, in 1 Kings, to be the foundational verse for this section - Identity in Finances.  

"If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. But the people did not answer him a word" (1 Kings 18:21).  

Elijah proposed a test to his opportunists. Two altars would be built. The prophets of Baal would call on their god and Elijah would call on his God. Whichever one answered by fire would be the one whom they would serve. I think you already know who won! If not, review 1 Kings 18:17-41.

In every generation, God's supernatural power will... read more here  

Identity in Finances - Knowing the Numbers. Copyright � 2014 IOM America. Permission to reproduce for educational purposes. Please keep author's name intact.