Budgets bring up visions of mortgage payments, grocery bills and checkbooks. But what if we applied a spiritual budgeting principle to all of life, not just our finances?

Everything—our time, talent and money—is on loan to us from the Lord. He can tell us how best to use it.

"Stewardship," says Jerry Wear, a History's Handful staff member, "is the act of communicating with the Owner and managing it all for His glory and His honor." History's Handful is a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.

In 1 Timothy 6: 17-19, Paul writes about this kind of life management: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant or put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, be rich in good deeds and generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life" (New International Version).

History's Handful staff members challenge people to manage their life God's way—to build that firm foundation. After exposing people to Campus Crusade's various ministries and projects, History's Handful staff members encourage people to use their talents, time and money to reach the world with the message of Jesus.

"If we understand the Bible," explains Dave Hannah, the executive director of History's Handful, "we're told that how we live this life has a huge impact in eternity."

Take Scott Lewis, for example. This husband and father of four children under the age of 13 calls himself a "bussionary": a missionary who uses his skills in business to help fulfill the Great Commission. After a mission trip to Albania, Scott and his wife, Kirsten, decided to sell their small tool business in California to go into full-time ministry.

"I've always shared my faith in my business every chance I could," says Scott, "but I thought if I could do it full-time, then I could really make my life count for God."

Surprisingly, Scott sensed God saying no. Instead, he kept the business and used it to fund the ministry in Albania. Together, the young couple set a goal to give $50,000 the following year—more than 100 percent of their income. The Lord blessed their faith, so they increased their goal the year afterward. Since then, Scott and Kirsten have given more than $1 million to help fulfill the Great Commission.

In addition to giving their finances, Scott lends his time to Campus Crusade, using his gift of public speaking to address History's Handful conferences. He has also told his story around the world. Whenever possible, his home-schooling wife goes with him, and together they tell how God has used many facets of their life for His glory.

"We have been experiencing more meaning and purpose in our Christian life than we ever did before," raves Scott.

In the following section, you will see four more examples of people like the Lewises who use at least one area of their L.I.F.E. to get the gospel message out—their labor (L), influence (I), finances (F), or expertise (E). In the hands of the Master Steward, these investments reap eternal returns.

For more about History's Handful, call (949) 366-8060.