As believers and children of God we are also “stewards” of God and accountable to God for managing the affairs of the kingdom of God here on earth. As the disciples of Christ we may called upon by God to be the pastor of a church, a shepherd over a group of fellow believers or a myriad other things God may require of you. However, the most important function we have as a steward of God is to handle our own personal affairs in such a way that we serve God while bringing honor, praise and glory to God. Each member of the kingdom of God is the “church” so personal stewardship is critical for an effective ministry for Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 – Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
1 Peter 4:10 – As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Provers 3:9-10 – Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
In the New Testament world stewards were common. Stewards managed a household or estate. Stewards were appointed by the owner and entrusted to keep the estate running smoothly. It is that context, God has given all believers the keys to the kingdom of God here on earth. It’s a lot like us giving our teenager the keys to the family car before they’re able to drive. In Scripture the Apostles Peter and Paul both make reference to this stewardship arrangement and urge us to be good stewards for God. Our responsibilities to God as stewards on the earth are threefold:
1 John 3:17 – But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
Psalm 50:12 – If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness.
1 Timothy 5:17-18 – Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
How we use our time – God made us and he has given us our life. God has allotted each of us a set number of days on this earth. Some will live to be a hundred years old while others are cut down at eighteen, in the flower of youth. Who knows the reason for this or the mind of God? God does as he pleases and doesn’t owe us an explanation. What we do know is each day we have on this earth cannot be relived once it’s gone and is therefore priceless. Before God laid the foundation of the world he established the date, time and place of our birth and who our parents would be. God knows the exact moment when we’ll die and where that will be. There are no surprises with a God who knows everything. In between the time of our birth and death God has given us ample opportunity to do good works. It’s up to each of us to be good stewards of the “time” God has given us.
1 Corinthians 7:7 – For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
Matthew 25:21 – (Jesus speaking) – His lord said to him, well done , good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.
Luke 6:38 – (Jesus speaking) – Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
How we use our talents – God gives each of us talents and abilities that are unique. No two people have the exact same skillset. God gives us our individual talents so that we can prosper in the world and also glorify God. In addition, believers are also given special spiritual gifts once they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. These special gifts are provided each child of God to help rhem serve the Lord here on earth. Everyone is different and some people will be blessed more than others. God will judge us based on how we used the blessings he bestowed on us. In the end, everyone will be treated fairly because God is good and God is just. God loves us and wants the best possible outcome for us.
James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow or turning.
Deuteronomy 8:18 – And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
2 Corinthians 9:7 – So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
How we use our money – In God’s Word he has told us everything we need to know about money. It’s no accident that twelve of the thirty six parables in the New Testament are about money. One our of every six verses in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are about money. 100% of what we have comes from God and we are responsible and we are accountable to God for using it wisely and in accordance with God’s will. When you give money to charity or you are funding a good work you’re worshipping God by serving God. Every time you use your money for the kingdom of God you’re being blessed by God. God has blessed you financially. Everything belongs to God so when you turn around and give away the money God has graciously given you for the purpose of giving you are double blessed by God. What a deal!
Isaiah 55:1 – Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many arrows.
2 Corinthians 9:6 – But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
All decisions about money should be based on your recognition and acceptance that all money comes from God and belongs to God. Don’t get attached to money because money doesn’t satisfy but pleasing God does. God always comes before money, Money is simply a tool God gives you to do good works. As a child of God no matter what you give away God will always provide for you so you don’t have to hold onto every dime for a rainy day. God’s got your back. When a believer gives money on behalf of God he is blessed to the point he receives back more than he ever gave. God doesn’t need our money. God is graciously allowing us to give our money so that he can bless us. We have the privilege of giving for our own benefit.
1 Timothy 6:17 – Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
Philippians 4:19 – And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Malachi 3:10 – Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
When we give to support the works of God and to help the needy we are obeying the commands of God and glorifying God. Giving our money to God should be systematic and done cheerfully. Don’t write a $50 check to United Way once a year and congratulate yourself for giving when you have half a million in the bank drawing interest. You are to give out of your increase what you can afford to give out of the goodness of your heart. God alone will be your judge. Just remember the Bible story about the rich man who stored up his riches so he could live a life of ease. God took his life before he could enjoy it. We can’t take our money with us when we die but we can pay it forward by using it for good works here on earth which will accrue treasures in heaven for us when we get there.
Matthew 6:34 – (Jesus speaking) – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Proverbs 11:24-25 – There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.
2 Corinthians 8:12 – For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.