Stewardship of Resources
As taught in the Methodist / Wesleyan tradition
The Wesleyan approach to money: 'Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.'
The question of stewardship within the Methodist tradition is not merely a matter of financial management or ecclesiastical fundraising; it is a fundamental inquiry into the nature of the Christian soul and its relationship to the Creator. At its heart, the subtopic of the stewardship of resources answers the question: "How can a believer possess material goods without being possessed by them?" Within the Wesleyan-Arminian framework, this is a soteriological concern—a matter of salvation and sanctification. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, observed a recurring and tragic pattern in the history of the church which he called the "Methodist Paradox": true religion leads to industry and frugality; industry and frugality lead to wealth; wealth leads to pride, luxury, and the love of the world; and these, in turn, destroy true religion.
By the end of this lesson
- **Identify** the three core rules of the "Wesleyan Economy" (Gain, Save, Give) and explain their interdependence within the life of a believer.
- **Distinguish** between the Methodist concept of "Stewardship" and the secular concept of "Ownership," articulating why the former is essential for Wesleyan sanctification.
- **Explain** the "Methodist Paradox" and how the accumulation of wealth poses a specific threat to the "power of godliness" in the Methodist tradition.
- **Articulate** John Wesley’s radical definition of "the rich" and apply this definition to contemporary socioeconomic contexts.
- **Trace** the connection between "Social Holiness" and the management of material resources, defending the idea that there is "no holiness but social holiness" in economic life.
- **Defend** the Methodist rejection of the "Prosperity Gospel" using the Scripture anchors and Wesley’s warnings in *Sermon 87*.
- **Apply** the principles of "Holy Love" to personal budgeting, identifying "needless expenses" and reallocating resources toward the relief of the poor.
- **Compare** the Methodist reading of 1 Timothy 6:17-19 with more permissive interpretations, noting how Wesley’s "zero-sum" worldview shapes the tradition's urgency.
Scripture
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