There is an important principle that God has spent years impressing
upon me. The principle: That the needs of people are best met at the
most local level possible. This Biblical notion was the catalyst that
caused me to help launch the ministry of INTERNATIONAL STEWARD.
You see, this world is full of more critical needs than you and I can
scarcely contemplate, much less effectively address. Standing in the
midst of some of the "least of these" in underdeveloped countries,
the task seems insurmountable.
Jesus Christ, however, doesn’t call us to solve all the problems
of this world. He does strongly urge us to take care of the needs of
people around us. Meeting needs around us is not simply a statement
of our responsibility toward others, it also reflects the privilege
that God has entrusted to us. When we abdicate this responsibility,
we lose the privilege.
Around the world, millions have never known the privilege of giving
of themselves and their resources to meet the needs around them. Why?
Because for so many years organizations, government, and even churches
have stepped in to fill in the gap. As a result, people have not been
encouraged to grow in the grace of giving.
At a recent workshop in Haiti, I was so encouraged to hear national
ministry leaders testify to the fact that the responsibility and privilege
for the growth of the church in Haiti falls squarely on the shoulders
of those within their country. I was awed to see many of these ministry
leaders more excited about cultivating stewards within their local communities
than simply getting their ministries funded.
It has been just a few short months into this new ministry and I am
excited to see, what I believe is, the beginning to a "turning
of the tide." It is because of your faithful financial stewardship
and our common vision, that we are seeing needs of people being met
and many exercising the privilege of stewardship …even in the most
poverty stricken regions.
I have the dual privilege of helping others around the world to understand
stewardship principles and at the same time being a "student"
of those of you who model effective stewardship of what God has entrusted
to you.
Thank you for your ministry in making this possible.
Gratefully,
Brett Elder
