Biblical Stewardship: Learning to Manage What Belongs to God
Stewardship is a fundamental concept in the Biblical view of money. Stewardship refers to our responsibility to care for the resources and gifts that God has given us. At its core, stewardship is about recognizing that everything we have belongs to God and using those resources wisely and faithfully to further His kingdom. Truly understanding the concept of stewardship can redefine how you think about your money and will lay a foundation for the other Biblical money management concepts.
In this article, we’ll explore what the Bible teaches us about stewardship and how we can apply those principles in our daily lives.
This article is part of a series I’ve written about Biblical Finance. For the full list of articles check out What the Bible Says about Money – Gilbert Wealth
God Owns it All and Provides
Stewardship, as defined by Merriam Webster, means taking care of something responsibly. When we talk about biblical stewardship, we’re getting into the idea that everything we own, even our money, ultimately belongs to God. Psalm 24:1 makes it clear, saying, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This verse reminds us that God is the true owner of everything.
Thinking this way, where we don’t see things as our own but as belonging to God, can lead to a more open and generous way of living.
The Bible has various teachings that support this perspective. In Matthew 6:26, Jesus tells us to look at the birds; they don’t work to get food, yet God takes care of them. This shows that God provides for all living creatures.
The apostle Paul in Philippians 4:19 reassures believers that “God will meet all your needs.” This shows how God is faithful in taking care of us. Psalm 23:1 also reminds us that “The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.” This means God is our ultimate provider.
Seeing ourselves as stewards rather than owners means that we are looking after God’s blessings. This perspective encourages us to manage what we have responsibly and generously, recognizing that we’re taking care of what God has given us. It shifts our focus from just gathering things for ourselves to using what we have wisely and helping others. This is how we live out the idea of stewardship, showing our trust in God and our commitment to His will.
- Genesis 14:19,22
- Exodus 9:29; Exodus 19:5
- Deuteronomy 10:14
- 1 Chronicles 29:11-16
- Job 41:11
- Psalm 24:1; Psalm 50:12; Psalm 82:8; Psalm 89:11; Psalm 95:4-5, Psalm 104:24
- 1 Corinthians 10:26
- Genesis 22:!4
- Ecclesiastes 5:19; Ecclesiastes 6:1-2
- Jeremiah 27:5
- Psalm 23:1
- Proverbs 10:22
- Matthew 6:26
- Luke 12:24
- Philippeans 4:19
The Stewardship Mindset
As we make the shift in mindset where the financial resources we are entrusted with are not ours alone, but God’s, our role changes from that of an owner to that of a steward. As Christians, it is important to recognize that the role of being a steward adds responsibility and accountability in managing our finances.
Imagine if you were to hire someone to steward resources you entrusted to them? What would you expect of them? Would you expect that they could provide an accounting of those resources and be able to show what good things they’ve done with them on behalf of you? That’s exactly what we see in the Parable of the Talents.
In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus teaches that we are entrusted with resources according to our abilities, and we are expected to invest and multiply them wisely. God entrusts us with different levels of resources and it is the Christian’s responsibility to manage those well to further the kingdom. This principle should encourage us to make sound financial decisions, including budgeting, saving, and investing, with the understanding that we will be held accountable for how we manage God’s resources.
Here are a few ways you can become a better steward:
Pray & Study the Bible
Prayerful consideration of how to use your resources will keep you in tune with God’s plan for your life and studying the Bible will not only keep you focused on God’s overarching plan but also remind you of the biblical principles that guide our lives.
Educate Yourself on Money
If you don’t know where to start in financial education, there are many great books out there on financial education and literacy give you a foundational knowledge of money management. You can also check out my other articles on biblical finance here: What the Bible Says about Money – Gilbert Wealth
Hire a Trusted Financial Advisor
Hiring a Christian Financial Advisor who maintains the same values as you can be a great way to provide accountability and advice in your stewardship journey.
- Genesis 2:15
- Matthew 24:14-30
- Luke 12:42-44
- 1 Corinthians 4:2
- 1 Peter 4:10