Thoughts on Stewardship

The best source for advice on money is the Word. Here are some things I found on how to be a good steward:

We are instructed to see our relationship with money to be one of stewardship where we must be trustworthy. It tells us this in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. This scripture speaks of ministers of the Word, but uses a term applied to those who were entrusted with wealthy estates. As we are entrusted with God’s gifts to us, whether they are skills, knowledge, or money, we are expected to be good stewards (1 Peter 4:10). Matthew 20:1-16 is the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (or sometimes “the parable of the unjust steward”. It depends on how you want to interpret it.) It seems unfair that the steward paid workers the same regardless of how much time they worked. However, a steward who is not faithful in his duties will be dismissed quickly (Luke 16:1-13). He did pay fairly according to individual agreements. For examples that explain good and bad stewardship, see Luke 19:11-27 or the Parable of the Pounds and Matthew 25:14-30 the Parable of the Talents. Also see Matthew 21:33-46 for the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen and Luke 12:42-48.

I think when you read these scriptures you’ll see why giving simply for the sake of giving isn’t what a good steward does. A good steward gives using good judgment. While it is important to have compassion on the poor, those who are lazy and unwilling to help themselves are not going to be good stewards of what you give them, (2 Thessalonians 3:10) and it would be wrong to endorse or support their laziness. This is because of the law given in Genesis 3:19. There are always those who are not able, but it is the willingness that is important.

NOTE: Please look up the scriptural references for yourself. I am simply commenting on them to seek relevance.