Godly Stewardship (Handling Your Money God's Way)
There is a verse that Jesus has used to govern my life since I was saved over twenty years ago. I quote it quite regularly to remind me of the end goal in anything I do. It says, “Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Frequently, I extend it to fit whatever my current situation might be. So, I might say, “Whether therefore you eat, drink, write, blog, build a business, share all the exciting things you’re learning; do all to the glory of God.” All I did was specify examples of “or whatsoever you do,” so that it’s not just a bunch of words I quote, but practical guidance for that exact moment.
In July 2017, I realized something was wrong and I was not glorifying God with my money. It wasn’t intentional. In fact, up to that point, I thought I was doing right. I was tithing faithfully for many years and did my best to be generous in other ways, too. Like, I said, I thought I was doing right and thought I was honoring God. And maybe I was- based on where I was at that time. I was doing all I knew how.
But when it was time for me to go to the next level, to grow beyond that, My Father orchestrated a situation to show me I was not glorifying Him as well as I should; I was not being a godly steward. I realized I needed to do better with money but didn’t know how. I needed help.
I wanted someone who could teach me how to manage money in God’s way. I needed someone to teach me to how to apply biblical principles, but in simple ways that would be easy to understand and apply. I remembered Dave Ramsey. I wasn’t a follower of his at the time, but I had seen his 7-Baby Steps video on YouTube earlier that year. So, I went back to that video. I listened, found his book, “Total Money Makeover,” and purchased the audible version the same day. His first step was to cut up all my credit cards, so I did. I continued listening to the book, bought hard copies for myself and to give away to others, listened to his podcasts, and sought out others I could learn from. I developed such a thirst to learn, grow, and share.
Stewards and Stewardship
A steward is defined as “a person who manages other’s property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.”
You may have heard the term, “stewardship” used at church; most commonly describing our role in managing the money and possessions God has placed in our care. Sometimes, it’s used to
describe children in our care, as well. God of the universe owns it all; He merely places them in our care for a season.
That’s a healthy way to look at it. It is undeniable that God owns it all and He can do with it, with us, as He chooses. This makes me think of the story of King Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. He had an encounter with God and afterwards declared, “…all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He [God] does according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can restrain His hand, or say unto Him, What have You done?” (Daniel 4:35). If you read the full story, it’s a different experience than what any of us will likely ever go through, but it is a sobering reminder of Who is in control. We may slip up and say, “my” or “your,” but God is really the owner of it all. We are merely stewards.
Executing the Role
It’s important how you use what’s been placed under your care (your time, your energy, your focus, your family; and yes, your money and possessions. Paul says, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). It’s required that you properly manage everything the way you have been commissioned to. That means knowing the Owner’s will. That comes through time in His presence, listening, praying, seeking, reading, and studying. It means putting what you learn from His principles to practice and sometimes getting it wrong. It comes from lessons learned from failures and trial and error.
It’s learning to spend your time better- doing things that have lasting benefits, like reading your bible and spending time in devotion with Jesus. It’s means learning how to train up your children to honor The Father. It’s learning how to work hard, to properly manage finances, and not squander resources. It’s learning how to live in an earthly world, handle business here, while keeping guard of your heart, and an eye for kingdom things. It’s maximizing use of your talents and gifts, and being convince they have been given you to put to use.
Conclusion
You can’t master every area of stewardship, all at once. And some areas you may never master and will have to delegate and/or seek support to properly execute. But you must do it. It is required in you (as a steward), that you be found faithful- that you demonstrate the “can’t help its;” that you can’t help but keep growing, keep going; keeping doing all you can do while you can do it. By God’s grace you can do it!
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Definition (Steward) per Dictionary.com 6/22/2021
