10 Biblical Principles for Financial Stewardship
At the beginning of January many of us are left scratching our heads as we get the credit card bill or see the empty savings account. Were the holidays worth the expense? Sometimes I’m not so sure. Either way, alongside New Year’s resolutions are often commitments to get finances back in order. As you work on your finances, consider the incredible breadth and depth of Scripture’s wisdom on money.
I’ve collected some of that below for you, as well as a handful of resources on financial stewardship. I encourage you to read these not as a condemning set of laws but as wise instruction from your heavenly Father who wants you to live as he designed you and thereby flourish.
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The way we use our money reveals our values, commitments, and worship. Beyond your basic needs, how do you spend your money? What does your spending reveal about what you value most? Least?
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
Our money and possessions belong to God, not us. He blesses us with his resources to use for his purposes (hence the term “stewardship”). Our spending should reflect his priorities, not ours.
For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine. (Psalm 50:10-12)“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Everything we have was given to us by grace. Even our ability to earn money (through skills, education, natural talents, etc) is a gift from God, preventing us from pride, and boasting.
“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)
There are plenty of proverbs and examples in the Bible that endorse the wisdom of saving for the future (Abraham, Joseph with Pharaoh, etc). At the same time, you can save in a way that is inordinate and unwise, since true security is found not in money, but in God.
“And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:19-21)
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)
The greatest cure for enslavement to money and possessions is generosity. Giving money and sharing possessions loosens materialism’s grip on us. The thought of being hospitable, charitable, and open-handed might make us anxious, but in reality practicing such things brings joy and freedom.
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share…” (1 Timothy 6:17-18)
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20-21)
Our model and motivation for a generous lifestyle is God’s generosity, most notably the gift of his Son. We give because he first gave to us.
“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32)
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Money is not evil, but the love of money is evil and destructive. Note - both rich and poor can struggle with the love of money. Envy causes conflict and lawsuits. Covetousness leads to debt and hardship. Worst of all, the love of money chokes out the love of God and makes us ineffective for his kingdom.
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
“And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19)
We are called to a lifestyle of simplicity and contentment with what we have in the present, rather than the continual pursuit of bigger, better, and more.
“Give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:8-9)“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
At the same time, a simple lifestyle does not mean an ascetic lifestyle. God wants us to enjoy the good gifts he has given us without guilt. Jesus himself enjoyed parties with friends, feasts, and weddings.
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4)
“God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17)
The fellowship, worship, and witness of the church depends on the way we use our money and possessions. When the church is generous, large-hearted, and open-handed, it flourishes. When it is selfish, stingy, and greedy, it withers away.
“And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42-47).
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I know, it’s a lot. And it’s all so convicting. But isn’t it good? There are a thousand different ways you could apply these things faithfully. In prayer and with the counsel of others, we are meant to decide for ourselves how God would have us live these things out. Here are a handful of radical examples of these principles:
When CS Lewis’s books began to sell in the millions, he decided to live on his modest professor’s salary and give away his book royalties entirely.
John Newton, pastor and author of Amazing Grace, determined how much he would need for a decent lifestyle and, for everything over that, gave away a penny for every penny spent.
A German prince gave reformer Martin Luther an huge, ornate monastery (“Lutherhaus”) for a home that had dozens of bedrooms, a library, gardens, etc. He and his wife Katharina converted it into a seminary, shelter for the needy, hospital for the sick, and farmed its land to provide for its many residents.
Modern businessman Alan Barnhart, owner of the national company Barnhart Crane, lives on less than 99% of his business profit and spends the rest on caring for his employees, missions to unreached people groups, and other kingdom causes.
I know - these are pretty lofty and seemingly unattainable (though hopefully inspiring) examples. For most of us, stewardship will be much more ordinary. In pursuing change, start with something small, like inviting others into your home, tithing to your church, or cutting some things from the budget. When you’ve done that, ask the Lord, “How else can I faithfully manage your resources?”
In conclusion, here are a few free resources to help you continue to grow in wise, faithful stewardship:
A 20 day devotional on the topic of stewardship, from Tim Keller / Redeemer Presbyterian NYC. Several of the verses and ideas above are drawn from this helpful devotional.
An article from the Lausanne Movement describing and encouraging a simple lifestyle. This is a link to one section of a much larger article on the topic.
The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason. Although not a Christian book, this is a fun classic on money that contains a lot of common grace wisdom about saving and spending.
A video of Alan Barnhart telling the story of how and why he came to give away over 99% of his company’s profit and the results that has had on him and his employees.
A practical guide for getting out of debt by Crown Financial. Their website is full of biblical, financial wisdom for debt, saving, spending, etc.
Thanks for reading,
David
