Stewardship
We should know how to manage money if we are to be good stewards of the money resources God has entrusted to us.
UNDERSTANDING STEWARDSHIP
Luke 12:42-46 - Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
We are living in uncertain financial times. But when you have Jesus in your life and apply God’s Kingdom principles, external factors will not determine your success. You will be blessed regardless of the financial cycles the world experiences.
If your whole life is geared up to serve others and to serve God, then you are doing the right thing.
1. The devil is a time thief.
The Scriptures identify several essential principles of financial stewardship:
* giving is a spiritual matter, not just a financial one
* failure to give money to God is a personal affront to Him
* God will withhold many blessings from His people if they do not give to Him
Stewardship is all management and not ownership. A steward is someone who manages another person’s property, finances, and household. The steward owns nothing, but is in a position of authority as if he or she is the owner of it.
We are simply stewards or managers of what God has placed in our trust. Stewardship is a call of God for His people to assist in managing the affairs of the earth with Him. That has always been His plan from the beginning of creation and it has never changed.
We are God’s stewards and we are responsible for managing His property in a way that will please Him. Performance is measured against what God would want that person to produce.
2. Stewardship is a thermometer of our spirituality and discipleship.
A steward is someone who does not do anything for himself or herself but does that for another. If you are doing things for yourself you have missed what God wants for your life.
God will not force His will on us, but if we realize our responsibility and transfer everything to Him, He will keep His promise and provide for each and every need.
It is unbiblical to relegate personal stewardship to merely the religious portion of our lives such as tithing, using our talents for the church, or giving a percentage of our income to the Lord’s work. We belong to God and stewardship concerns every part of our life, which includes our time as well. How we utilize our time is of great concern to God. The devil is a time thief and he will do everything in his power to make sure we waste this valuable resource and produce nothing for the Kingdom.
We exercise stewardship of time in our daily occupations fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. We also invest time wisely when we enjoy our families or build relationships with our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Stewardship is a thermometer of our spirituality and discipleship.
Luke 12:34 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
OWNERSHIP
We own nothing. Everything we have belongs to God and we are mere managers of that which belongs to Him. We are required to be good stewards or managers of those things which belong to God.
Psalm 50:10 - For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.
Psalms 24:1 - The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
Haggai 2:8 - 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts.
Everything we own is on loan from God. That means, even if you are debt free, you are still indebted to God.
We come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing.
We come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing. Everything we have has been entrusted to us and when we die it is all gone.
The most important principle to keep firmly in mind is to understand whose money we are talking about. It's not ours. Everything belongs to God. God's ownership of everything is a foreign concept to most of us. We like to think of our money and our possessions.
If God owns everything then He is in charge of everything and has the final say over everything. When we allow God to be in charge of our lives He blesses us. When we exclude God from our lives we will not be blessed.
When we become successful in the work place or in business, it is because God has allowed us to be successful. The money we make is actually His and we have to be careful how we spend His money.
Most Christians have a distorted view of money. They feel that the money they have is theirs and that God’s money is the portion that they give to the church. God has a different view. He owns everything and that includes the money that we claim as our own. He has clear ideas of how He wants His people to function and to make use of His possessions and these ideas result in financial freedom if they are followed step by step.
When we operate from the understanding that our tithes, time, and talents all belong to the Lord Jesus Christ we can be assured that He is pleased with how we are spending His money, His time, and His gifts that He has given us.
GOD WANTS YOU TO BE BLESSED
I am so amazed when I hear Christians say that God does not want them blessed. This is not supported by Scripture.
Proverbs 10:22 - The blessing of the Lord makes one rich and He adds no sorrow with it.
Psalm 35:27 - Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
God desires to bless each and every one of His children.
Good stewards do not abuse what is given to them.
Blessings can mean spiritual things, but it also includes physical things such as money and possessions.
BE RESPONSIBLE
Good stewards do not abuse or waste what is given to them. God has given us these precious resources and it is our responsibility to be good stewards of those things He has entrusted to us.
We have to answer to God for our stewardship.
Stewardship means you have to make choices. There are things you have to change in your life.
The Lord has given us responsibilities and those who are responsible will be blessed and will receive a reward but those that are not responsible will suffer the negative consequences.
Our stewardship consists of making responsible decisions about our time, health, talents, relationships, property, and all that makes up our lives. We need to be good stewards of God’s property regardless of our situation.
God will assess how well we have done with those things that have been entrusted to us and He will then determine our reward.
GIVE YOUR BEST
Joseph was not an Egyptian. He was serving a prison sentence in a foreign land, yet God promoted him in Egypt. God promoted him to the second highest position in the land.
Joseph excelled in the land of Egypt. He had a strategy from God and a vision to rescue nations because he was a good manager and a good steward.
He knew that all the wealth that came into Egypt did not belong to Pharaoh, but to God. Joseph knew that and he worked hard and smart, because he honored and respected God and was a good steward of all the wealth that God entrusted to him. Although he acted on behalf of Pharaoh, he performed his duties with excellence because he knew he was accountable to God.
Daniel was held captive in a foreign land and was promoted to the second highest position in Babylon. He was a good steward and at that time he did his best in a foreign land.
We are also foreigners here on earth. Our citizenship is not here on earth because we have a heavenly citizenship.
But while we are living here we should be good stewards of everything God has given us.
When Jesus came to earth, He did His best for everyone. He valued people by washing their feet, healing them, and setting them free because He knew they belonged to God. He was a good steward during His lifetime on earth.
Being a good steward is finding out what is God’s plan for your life and fulfilling your destiny.
Being a good steward is finding out what is God’s plan for your life and fulfilling your destiny. Jesus discovered who He was and fulfilled the will of His Father.
Jesus was a good steward and a good manager of everything His Father entrusted to Him because He went to the cross.
WORSHIP WITH POSSESSIONS
Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Worship is not something that only happens in church but involves everything we do and everything we possess. Worship must include our possessions.
GOALS
Successful people set goals for themselves. You can never be a good steward without goals. A goal is where you want to be in the future. It is a road map to where you want to be at a certain time in your life. The goals you set for yourself become the road map to your future and your success.
1. Your written goals tell you where you want to be spiritually in the future.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 - Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
2. Have family goals
Family goals mean that you should invest in your family, minister to them, spend time with them, and lead them to greatness. There are great men of God who evangelize nations and have brought millions to the cross, but their own children go to a lost eternity. It is no good if you are bringing salvation to everyone, but your own children are not cared for spiritually. Minister the love of Jesus to your children first. Your children can be the best testimony of your life and ministry.
3. Have church goals
The church is a powerful institution and God uses our leaders to help and guide us in our Christian walk. Believers who are not involved in a local church normally live an aimless Christian existence. You cannot be a good steward if you do not submit yourself to earthly spiritual authority and that happens best in a local church environment.
4. Recreational goals
Take time out and relax. Choose your relationships by surrounding yourself with those who have the same spiritual standards as you have. You will then be able to enjoy their company. It is important to have friends who love you and who support your values.
5. Have financial goals
Set financial goals for yourself. This will involve saving money, investing, and spending. This will take discipline and you will need to follow a strict budget.
Most millionaires are just ordinary people who have worked wisely with their money over a
long period of time.
Proverbs 21:5 - The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6. Do things right
You can find yourself in the most negative financial environment, yet it is possible for you to have more than enough. Here is a vital key.
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
When we place the things of God as a high priority in our lives, God blesses with things. Whatever God adds into your life is always a blessing.
Righteousness speaks about doing things that are right in the eyes of God. If you do things that please God, then that is righteousness.
Righteousness simply means doing things that you know pleases God and when you do that God will add blessings into your life. God loves righteousness. In order to reflect God’s heart, believers are encouraged to love righteousness too.
7. Honor Caesar
Most people who do not pay their taxes will eventually end up in unpaid debts to their internal revenue services and could also face criminal prosecution.
Christians should be good stewards of God’s money by paying taxes. In doing so they are obeying the laws of the land as well as abiding by God’s Word. Rebellion against the earthly authorities is rebellion against God as it is God who sets up governmental authorities and rulers.
Christians should pay their taxes due to the government not because of fear of punishment but because of their love for God. All governing authorities are God's servants and it is reasonable that God's people support them willingly.
The person in authority may be unworthy of respect and honor but the institution is not, because God established it.
It goes without saying that without financial support, governments will not be able to function. A non-functioning government always leads to chaos and anarchy.
Seek Godly wisdom and counsel from those who are experienced and have spiritual fruit.
Luke 20:21-25 - Then they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Why do you test Me? Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" They answered and said, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
8. Jesus paid taxes
Matthew 17:24-27 - When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. “Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
9. Joseph paid taxes
Luke 2:4-5 - And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David): To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
10. The early Christians paid taxes
1 Peter 2:13-17 - Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
A significant part of your financial stewardship will include planning. Planning is the process of projecting, anticipating, and deciding on a particular financial path in order to accomplish a specified goal. For example, you may have a financial plan to purchase a new home in five years’ time. God must be involved with your plans in order for them to succeed. Remember - only God’s purposes will prevail. Don't do anything before praying about it. Act only on the spiritual guidance you receive from the Lord.
Seek Godly wisdom and counsel from others who are experienced and have spiritual fruit.
God must be involved with your financial plans or you risk wasting the money that He has given you and missing the purpose He has for you.
Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
THE USES OF MONEY
As a good steward of God’s resources, make sure you put the money that comes to you to proper use.
1. Building God’s Kingdom
When we give to our local church, we are providing for the work of the Lord on the earth and building God’s Kingdom. What a wonderful privilege to be part of what God is building because this results in the salvation of others.
Tithes and offerings are the main method that we can invest in God’s Kingdom. This promotes the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It also promotes the building up of the local church that edifies, disciples, and equips believers.
2. Meeting your needs
Philippians 4:19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
God promises to meet all of our needs and our earnings is a primary way that this is done. The Bible teaches us that our responsibility is to provide for our family.
3. Giving to others in need
Proverbs 3:27-28 - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.
Christians should give to those who are in need. There will always be poor people around that need to be helped. Obviously, we cannot meet every need because that is impossible. But we can choose a project, an individual, or a family and do our bit in making someone else’s life a little better.
4. Meeting our desires
James 4:3 - You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
We all love to buy new things and to spoil ourselves. That is the way God created us and He will give us the desires of our heart.
There is nothing wrong with having a desire for something as long as our motives are correct. God loves blessing us with good things and that includes luxury items.
Involve God with your goals and plans so that you do not pursue any desires that are in conflict with God's best for you.
MANAGE GOD’S MONEY
Christians should know how to manage money if they expect to be good stewards of the money resources God has entrusted to them. That means implementing basic financial practices that should be incorporated in your normal financial activities.
1. Keep records
Make sure you keep an accurate record of all your income and expenses. Depending on your situation, practice doing this on a daily basis so that it becomes a habit. That way you become more aware of your spending trends.
Add up what you have spent at the end of each day. By doing this you will be able to keep a check on undisciplined or unnecessary spending. You will be surprised how much you will save by conducting this daily task.
Keep all your receipts and organize them in a filing system. Keep your records for 5 to 10 years.
This is good for tax purposes, item returns, warranties, and basic spending analysis.
2. Be accountable
Always be accountable to someone when it comes to the management of your money. Involve others with your budget or planning. This can be a parent, a spouse, a business partner, or someone you trust.
You must never think that you alone have the financial vision and plan for your family, your business, your ministry, etc. That is a sure way to fail in your finances.
Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Others will perhaps see what you have missed.
3. Spend only the money you have
Always keep your records on paper. Do not trust your memory as it will fail you. You may forget that you made a purchase and that will cause you to spend money that you do not have and can result in checks being rejected by your bank.
Make sure you keep within the limits of your credit cards so that you do not exceed what you have budgeted for.
Always have the money necessary to cover a check in your checking account at the time you write the check.
4. Do not make faith promises
Many people write checks by faith or make a financial pledge when they know they do not have the money. That is certainly not God’s way of managing His money and it will land you in trouble. Money does not fall from heaven.
5. Only use allocated funds
Avoid using money that is allocated for other commitments to buy something else. For example, do not use the money for your car payments to buy clothes.
That will mess up your budget and you will struggle to make up the shortfall in your budget.
6. Avoid impulse or emotional buying
Take your time before making a decision to buy something even if you think it is the bargain of the decade.
There will always be bargains around. Just because something seems to be a good deal does not mean you need that item or that you should buy it.
If you think you cannot miss out on the opportunity and you feel you have to buy it, go home and sleep on it. You will be surprised how differently you feel about it the next morning.
Rather miss out on the opportunity than having to live with something you did not really need.
7. Always check your records
Make sure you review your monthly bank statements and that all deductions are in accordance with your budget and planning.
