The Bible often speaks about being a good steward. Jesus uses this word at different times when teaching about the duty of those who have been placed in the position of a steward. For example,
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first (Matt. 20:8).
The word “steward” means, “a person in charge of supervising workers.”1
Using this word as it relates to our money, it would mean that we have been put in charge of supervising the way we manage our money. V. P. Black wrote, “There is a three-fold duty of a good steward: 1. Make all he can. 2. Save all he can. 3. Give all he can.” Most people like to make all they can, and some are good at saving all they can, but few are good a giving all they can. We must be careful when having a desire to make all we can that we do not let money become our god. As Paul wrote,
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Tim. 6:10).
Those who have a love for money will not be good stewards over their money, but they will let their money rule them and it will cost them their soul. Jesus said,
Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15).
Then He gave a parable about a certain rich man who had this very problem, he was a covetous person or a lover of money. Because of his love for money, his soul was required by God that very night and the question was asked “…whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20).
When learning to be a good steward over our money the first thing we should understand is that all we have belongs to God. James said,
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (Jas. 1:17).
David wrote, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein” (Ps. 24:1). The first-century Christians understood this,
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common (Acts 4:32).
Knowing that God owns everything and that we wish to be good stewards over our money we must then ask what is the purpose of our money? First; our money is to be used to support our family.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (1 Tim. 5:8).
God expects us to take care of our family with the money He has blessed us with. Second; We are to help the poor.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth (Eph. 4:28).
There are special blessings which one will receive when helping the poor. One of the things which offended God during the days of Israel was that on many occasions they did not take care of the poor. We should always be tender hearted to those less fortunate than we are. Third; Give a portion of our money back to the Lord for the work of the church.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
As we give to the Lord through the church on the first day of the week we are being involved in the greatest work on earth, the saving of lost souls.
We are to use our money here on earth in such a manner as to lay up treasures in heaven and not on earth (Matt. 6:19-21). If we are not good stewards over our money in this life, we will not be worthy of the blessings of the treasures that are in heaven.
Remember, no matter how much money or how little money we might have, we are to be good stewards over that which God has blessed us with. Use it wisely and God will bless you in ways that you cannot imagine.
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