Good stewardship of our finances begins with recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God, and he has called us to manage those resources wisely. Practicing financial stewardship begins with five fundamental steps. These steps can help us orient our financial lives around the Lord’s purposes and trust in his provision.
1. Align your heart.
How we spend our money and what we spend it on reveals a lot about the affection of our hearts. Stewardship is about more than just how we spend our money; it’s the outward reflection of the inward posture of our hearts toward Jesus Christ.
When you look at your bank statements or investment balances, are you thankful or do you only see what you don’t have? Do you immediately plan what to buy next or, instead, how you could serve? Our financial decisions follow our hearts. By first aligning our hearts with his through prayer and his Word, our finances will follow. Our financial resources are a gift from him to be used as he directs. Commit to serve one master, the Lord, with all you have. He will provide what you need (Matthew 6:24-34).
2. Create a budget.
Stewardship is not about hoarding the resources you have; it’s about using them wisely. For that, you need a budget.
Proverbs 21:5 (CSB) says, “The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.” A budget will help you plan your giving, spending and saving and ensure they align with Christ-honoring goals.
Most importantly, a budget will guide you in living within your means and spending wisely. Avoiding extravagance and learning to live on less than you earn nurtures the spiritual fruit of self-control (Galatians 5:23) and godly contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-9). Budgeting can also help you avoid unnecessary debt and pay off your obligations quickly to maintain financial freedom (Proverbs 22:7).
3. Share your blessings.
God blesses his people so that they can be a blessing to others. Giving back a portion of what the Lord has given us through our tithes and offerings is vital to stewardship.
“The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (CSB)
Through our generous giving, we further the spread of the Gospel by supporting our churches, missionaries and other ministry organizations on the frontlines in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. We also give to bless those in need. In 1 Timothy 6:18 (CSB), Paul instructs Timothy to urge those blessed financially “to be generous and willing to share.”
Ultimately, giving is a proclamation of our dependence on the Lord’s faithfulness (Proverbs 3:9-10) and is an essential part of our worship.
4. Plan for tomorrow.
Only God knows what tomorrow will bring, but we are still responsible for planning for it. Proverbs 6:6-8 (CSB) points to the example of the ant, which “prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.” Saving and investing for the future reflects foresight in caring for what God has given us. As you create a budget for your expenses today, plan for tomorrow’s needs by including short-term and long-term savings categories.
Short-term savings are for those needs in the near future — including emergencies . Long-term savings are for needs that will come up further down the road, like homes, your children’s college expenses and especially retirement.
Investing in the financial markets is one way to deploy your long-term savings dollars so that they can grow over time. Remember, when it comes to retirement, time is your friend. The earlier and longer you invest, the better off you’ll likely be financially.
5. Protect yourself and your family.
The Apostle Paul reminds us of the importance of providing for our families.
“But if anyone does not provide for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8 (CSB)
Life sometimes interrupts our plans with illnesses and injuries, making it difficult for us to fulfill our calling to provide for our families. That’s why it’s essential to be prepared for these challenges by finding the right health plans, life coverage, and other types of protection to help you and your family through life’s obstacles.
Finally, estate planning allows you to ensure that your resources continue to serve God’s purposes even after your lifetime. Proverbs 13:22 (CSB) says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren...” By making thoughtful decisions about the distribution of your assets, you can continue to provide for your family and loved ones and support ministries.
These five foundational steps can help you manage your finances with wisdom and purpose, reflect God’s love and provision, and ensure that your resources are used optimally for you and your family’s benefit and his glory.
Need some practical ways to help put good stewardship principles into practice? From the beginning stages of planning your saving and investment strategies to enjoying life in retirement, GuideStone® can help guide you every step of your journey.
For more information, contact us at Info@GuideStone.org or 1-888-98-GUIDE (1-888-984-8433) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, to speak with a customer solutions specialist.
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