Hong Kong: Love and Money

May 20, 2008 Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong 

It was a rewarding experience to finish off the stewardship training programs for NSD in Hong Kong this year.  Hong Kong is a dynamic business and commerce center for Asia.  The pursuit for money is the prominent goal and vocation for many people in Hong Kong.  Given this ministry context and the secular nature of life in Hong Kong, the Adventist church has a real challenge to proclaim the gospel in this territory, and share the transformational paradigm of Biblical stewardship among its members.

In preparation for this event the Hong Kong-Macao Conference promoted by way of well designed posters and banners.  Dr. Erika Puni and Dr. Miguel Luna enjoyed the warm reception and hospitality of the host Conference during the duration of their stay.  Siu Foon Fung, Conference Treasurer and Stewardship Director coordinated the training event with much enthusiasm and positive leadership.  The first session took place on Thursday, April 24, 2008 for all church pastors and church workers at the Conference.

In this training program, pastors for the Hong Kong-Macao Conference explored new perspectives on stewardship based on a new paradigm that focuses on a lifestyle that recognizes the Lordship of Jesus Christ and partnership with God.  Dr. Puni repeatedly emphasized this broad view of stewardship which is summed up by this statement, “stewardship is all of me in response to all of God.”  According to Dr. Puni, this broad view focuses on the rule of Christ, recognizes God as Creator and Owner of all, highlights value transformation, emphasizes a heart commitment, and sees stewardship as a lifestyle of Christ’s followers in the world today.  The narrow and most common held view of stewardship, by contrast, focuses exclusively on tithes and offerings, pushes the obligation of church members, it is behavior oriented, constantly eyes the pockets and wallets of worshippers, and is promoted as another program of the Church. While the later emphases are important in themselves they are limited in scope and are divorced from the “love” factor.  This new approach provides a holistic view that is in harmony with how Biblical stewardship is expressed in the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

With this understanding of stewardship, we are all invited into a total and full commitment to God (Matt 22:37, 38).  It is an inclusive framework that takes in all aspects of human life which includes religion, human networks and family relationships, finances, communication and language.  In this model life is presented as holistic, integrated and interrelated.  From this perspective, we must allow Jesus to reign in all areas of our human existence and experience.  Additionally, stewardship cannot and must not be limited only to worship.  This stewardship experience (sanctification) is best described by Paul in this statement “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who love me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).  Stewardship is about value transformation – Christ’s living in us! True stewardship is selflessness—complete self-giving to God and service to humanity.  When the value of self is crucified and Christ reigns in our hearts, then our behavior will demonstrate a life of service, simplicity, sacrifice, surrender and submission.  Stewardship as a transformational experience is the breaking in of the rule of Jesus Christ into the deep level of our human culture and life, and changing our belief systems from within into His kingdom values.

It was very encouraging, from a training perspective, that many young people—leaders of the local churches – were present for the weekend seminar.  The sessions concluded with a presentation of case studies and stewardship resources.  Participants were very active during the small group discussions and made excellent observations of the stewardship cases presented.  At the close of the Sabbath afternoon program, Sister Fung promoted the book 7 Weeks Spiritual Journey into a More Generous Life—newly translated into the Chinese language.  Overall, for Dr. Erika Puni and Dr. Miguel Luna, this stewardship journey through NSD was a wonderful blessing for the all who participated.