Ninth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Many authors writing about Christian financial stewardship engage the concepts of scarcity and abundance extensively, largely arguing that churches and individuals need to have an attitude of abundance rather than one of scarcity. Many argue that abundance is hopeful and encourages generosity while scarcity encourages us to be fearful and to protect what we have. Although this is a very common theme and may well have some truth behind it, this can become problematic particularly when scarcity is treated as merely a mindset to be overcome rather than a real, lived reality and a legitimate fear for most people living in an individualistic society with minimal social safety nets. More broadly, in my paper I will argue that Christian financial stewardship is a practice, sometimes seen as “personal” and internal to the church and separate from theology and belief, that requires thorough examination due to its “political” (and theological/ethical) ramifications. These ramifications are particularly pertinent to Christian economic ethics and any politically-grounded theologies. Further, I will argue that Christian stewardship has implications for social change, not only in its outcomes but also in how stewardship itself is conceived and conducted. The Christian tradition(s) of economic justice must be considered in relation to all Christian stewardship practices. Christian community and the achievement of broad social change cannot be used as ends that justify any means as the “means” of stewardship are themselves theologically and ethically critical.