In our last couple weeks of reflecting on The Treasure Principle, I figure stewardship is an important topic to address since the principle is referenced so frequently in the New Testament.
Merriam-Webster defines stewardship as “the conducting, supervising, or managing of something or the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” We know from our previous discussion that work is important to earn money. Then the following questions are asked: “What to do with the money we have earned? How can we responsibly manage the money that God has entrusted to our care?”
Here are a few practical tips to consider:
- Take care of your responsibilities (ie. your needs) –
1 Tim 5:8 reads:
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Create a budget and set financial goals for the future:
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty (Prov 21:5).”
Determine where money is already being spent. It might be a good idea to document all spending for the month of April and determine spending habits. Afterwards, identify all financial needs (ex. housing, food, utilities, etc. Note: cable television is not a need). To start, use this information to create a budget with the following goal in mind:
10% towards giving
10% towards emergency savings
80 towards living expenses
Americans cannot continue to wastefully spend every dollar that comes into their homes. The Bible calls that foolish behavior.
“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has (Prov 21:20).”
- Guard yourself against greed –
When a man approached Jesus and demanded that his brother divide their inheritance, Jesus responded:
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15).”
The way to guard ourselves against greed is to…
- Give generously and with excitement – 2 Corin 8:1-5, 2 Corin 9:6-8…or follow The Treasure Principle
In wrapping up this discussion, I also feel it important to share that the only biblical reference hinting at retirement is in Luke 12:18-21, and it is not a pleasant presentation.
Where does your money go? Do you store up treasures on earth or in Heaven? Are you taking any steps to make financial changes?
© Natasha S. Robinson 2011
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A SISTA'S JOURNEY 
You have done it again Natasha. Wonderful and thought provoking applications of the scripture. I am definitely sharing this one because many need to hear and heed these words.
Love you.
So gracious of you, QuaWanna. I love to see the truth of God’s word fully realized and ever changing people’s lives. Love, me
10% giving.. 10% emergency savings….80% living expenses dutiful noted. I agree with this equation. How would you include a percentage for family time, events. Would this “enjoyment” be included in living expenses? I think it is important to take care of the Kingdom, future, and the household. However, I think it is equally important to take time out to enjoy the fruits of labour. This is an area of difficulty to me because I am attributing 20% to giving and emergency savings, but struggle when the time is appropriate to enjoy once every other area is taken care of. I would think reccommend adding to the equation time for enjoyment. I think it would be wise to do checks and balances to determine an amount to set asisde for family enjoyment.
I agree wholeheartedly, Renee. My 80% living expenses includes a section for “Quality of Life” allotments. This section can include: travel (setting aside money to visit family and friends), food & fun (restaurant, movies, birthday celebrations, etc), Cable TV or netflix, and personal spending (hair money :-). Due to the fact that “Quality of Life” allotments are not financial needs, this is normally the first area to cutback when we have a financial hardship.
“Just as the rich rule over the poor, the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7.
Our family takes this literally and EVERYONE thinks we are weird.
I personally believe that God does not want his people enslaved or burdened by debt. Any debt. Even “good” debt, which is a great marketing tactic…
We do pay our tithes and have a budget. We have no charge (credit) cards. We are striving for the 80/10/10 lifestyle.
The key for our family has been to think of ourselves as CFOs. We meet weekly and balance the checkbook to the penny. We always remind ourselves that we are managing God’s money.
Best,
Gina V.
Gina, this is a revelation that we have come to in our own lives. One of the big things here: not being a “slave” to debt makes us “free” to use the resources that God has given us for his kindgom purposes. We certainly need to encourage each other in these truths. We are God’s money managers!
One of the most convicting books that I have read is called, “The Power of Half.”. It is a true story of a middle class family,who decides to give away half of everything they own to a village in Africa.
Remember, almost 2/3 of the world’s population lives on a dollar a day or less.
What an amazing work we could do for the sick, orphans and widows if all Christians had NO debt and lived on half of what they made…
Best,
Gina
Thanks for the book recommendation, Gina. It is on my ever growing reading list. 🙂