"Our churches are sadly in need of the stewardship program that is inevitable if this book is given serious study. I can think of no greater contribution that could be made to the whole cause of missions, both at home and abroad, than the study of this volume in all the churches. The present crisis in world affairs--nay, the crisis in the church itself--calls for a new dedication of life and substance to the cause of Christ. This is the objective that I find running through these pages, and the least I can do is to commend it to all those who are concerned that the church achieve a new and greater impetus as it must now meet the larger demands that are upon it."-- Mark A. Dawber, from the foreword

In this book, Craig Blomberg addresses the tough questions about the place and purpose of wealth and material possessions in a Christian’s life. He points to the goodness of wealth, as God originally designed it, but also surveys the Bible’s many warnings against making an idol out of money. So are material possessions a blessing for which we should long? And what are the dangers that the use or abuse of material possessions can produce? Blomberg expounds upon how the sharing of goods and possessions is the key safeguard against both greed and covetousness. He expands on the concept of giving generously, even sacrificially, to those who are needier, demonstrating how Christians can participate in God’s original good design for abundance and demonstrate the world-altering gospel of Christ. Is there any one key to keeping possessions in their proper, God-intended perspective? Are there limits on how rich we should become or on how poor we should allow others to get? What does a truly Christian economic system look like? How does the Bible’s teaching on wealth fit into the gospel?

More than fifty scholars, under R. C. Sproul, collaborated to produce this study Bible to help readers understand the great doctrines of the Christian faith. Published by Ligonier Ministries, trade distribution by P&R Publishing.

R. Scott Rodin unpacks a theology of the abundant life, which encompasses our world, life and possessions, and appropriately begins with the very being of the Creator.

""This concise and readable volume makes a major contribution to our understanding of stewardship. Exhibiting careful and thorough research, John Reumann traces the broad history of the stewardship concept . . . to the present day. While Reumann demonstrates that the term has had many shades of meaning in its history, he also makes clear, helpful suggestions on the meaning of stewardship for today, especially by connecting stewardship with the economy of God. I commend this book to all pastors, seminarians, and laity willing to struggle with what stewardship means for our lives and our world as we approach the twenty-first century."" -WILHAM O. AVERY, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary ""With his characteristic erudition-biblical scholarship, classical and historical reflection, and contemporary application-john Reumann shows how oikonomia has been a recurring theme in the Christian life. It appears now again as 'stewardship, ' and Reumann' s exhaustive investigation will help the church respond to its far-reaching imperative."" -NORMAN A. HJELM, Faith and Order, National Council of Churches ""For many Christians the term stewardship means fund-raising. Paradoxically, with the advent of the environmental movement, it has acquired another sense: stewardship as care for the earth. In this learned but accessible book John Reumann shows how the modem 'secular' use of the term actually derives from the Bible and Christian tradition... He constructs a theology of stewardship that is at once faithful to the Scriptures and applicable to the lives of Christians today."" -ROBERT L WILKEN, University of Virginia John Reumann was a professor of New Testament studies at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA. He was the author of Righteousness in the New Testament: Justification in the Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue, and Ministries Examined: Laity, Clergy, Women, and Bishops in a Time of Change.