Biblical Stewardship is using our time and money wisely and responsibly to help others and for the glory of God.
- Bible Principles and Questions
- …Time
- …Money
- Video on Biblical Stewardship
- Summary Statements
- Principles That Work
- Practical Actions
- Questions About Stewardship
- Stewardship of Time and Money
- What Jesus Taught About Time
- What Jesus Taught About Money
- Compound Interest
- Start a Budget
Principles and Questions
What is a steward? “a person who manages another’s property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.”
What is Biblical stewardship? “Utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation.”[2] The central essence of biblical world view stewardship is managing everything God brings into the believer’s life in a manner that honours God and impacts eternity. Biblical stewardship begins and ends with the understanding of God’s ownership of all:
1 Corinthians 4:2
2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
What does God require of a steward (or, servant)?
Biblical Stewardship of Time
Psalm 90:12
12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom
What are we to do? Why?
Psalm 127:2
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep tothose he loves.
What are the three things this verse says are vain (“…all for nothing.”)?
(Note: It is when all these things are done together day after day, as a way of life, without trusting in God that they are not good.)
Matthew 6:33-34
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
What should we seek first?
What attitude should we have about tomorrow?
Ephesians 5:15-16
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
How should we walk (or, live)?
How should we view our time? Why?
Biblical Stewardship of Money
Luke 12:48
48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
If you have much, what will occur?
Proverbs 23:4-5
4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness.
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Should we spend all of our energy acquiring wealth (as our biggest goal)?
What happens to money?
Philippians 4:10 Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
How should we view abundance or loss?
Matthew 6:19-20 Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
What can happen to things?
Where is true treasure (riches)?
How should we invest?
Proverbs 11:24-25
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. .25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed
What is one thing mentioned in these verses that God wants us to do with the money He gives us?
What happens to those who are unwilling to do this?
Video on Biblical Stewardship
Summary Statements
It is required that stewards/managers be faithful in time and money (1 Corinthians 4:2).
We must use our time and our money wisely (Psalm 90:12; Luke 12:48; Ephesians 5:15,16).
Wealth is temporary (Proverbs 23:4-5).
We must learn to be content with much or with little (Philippians 4:10-13)
We should be willing to use our time and money to help others. (Proverbs 11:24-25)
Biblical Stewardship Principles That Work
God will hold us accountable for how we use our time both personally and professionally.
It is not what we lack but what we have that we should live by (Philippians 4:10-13).
If little is enough, then enough will be a feast!
Get the best deals for your time AND your money. Budget your time as you do your money.
Reminder: Only two things will last forever – God’s Word and God’s People. Those are the true investments that will be with you.
Practical Actions
List three time stealers (things you are tempted to waste time doing).
List three money wasters (things you are tempted to waste money on).
What can you do to curtail time-wasters?
What can you do to curtail impulsive or unnecessary spending?
In your personal planning, what is the timing for your action steps?
Develop a budget (you may want to ask for help doing this).
Questions About Biblical Stewardship
What are?
- The most common time wasters that you struggle with?
- The most common money wasters that you struggle with?
- One or two steps you can take this week to use your time better?
- Things you can do to use money in a better way?
- What do you think it means to have “treasures in Heaven” (Matthew 6:20)?
How can we store up for ourselves this kind of wealth?
Why do you think that God will not bless a stingy person the way He will bless a generous person?
Career Skills
Stewardship of Time and Money
Review
- Stewardship is not just a way of giving, it’s a way of living.
- Psalm 24 – “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”
- So I belong to the Lord. I am a manager. Everything is divinely provided.
- God gave me riches in time, talent, and knowledge.
- All of my gifts should be used to God’s glory.
- As a steward, I am to be a manager.
- I should redeem any time I have lost with good works.
- Over-commitment and procrastination may be two of the biggest barriers I face in using time.
- I should budget my time just as I would my money. I have 168 hours every week.
- Time and money are the tools given to me by God to do what He wants me to do.
What Jesus Taught About Time
- In Matthew 25:35-36, in the parable of The Sheep and the Goats, Jesus taught concerning the final judgment and names six groups we should serve: “the hungry, the thirsty, strangers, the naked, the sick, and those in prison.”
- He gave these illustrations of what he meant by “… the least of these my brethren.”
- Who is dependent on me? Or should be? Or could be?
What Jesus Taught About Money
- Also in Matthew 25:14-30, in the Parable of the Talents, Jesus taught concerning the handling of money God has entrusted to us.
Compound Interest
- Is compound interest working in your favor through savings, or against you because of debt?
- The rule of 72 tells how long it will take for your debt or your savings to double.
- If you incur $100 of debt at 18% per year, divide 72 by 18¸ which is 4.
- Your debt will double in four years to $200.
- If you save $100 with compound interest at a rate of 6% per year, divide 72 by 6, which is 12.
- Your savings will double in 12 years to $200.
Start a Budget
- Start a budget like the one below. Go to Daveramsey.com for more information.
Exercise 11.3 – Your MONTHLY INCOME AND EXPENSES
- Gross Income per Month __________
- Less taxes (Fed., State, FICA)__________
- Net Income per Month __________
- ——————————————————
- Charity Tithes _________
- Saving
- Emergency Fund _________
- Other _________
- Housing
- Rent or Mortgage _________
- Real Estate Taxes _________
- Repairs/Maint. _________
- Insurance _________
- Utilities
- Electricity _________
- Gas _________
- Water _________
- Trash _________
- Phone/Mobile _________
- Internet _________
- Cable _________
- Food
- Groceries _________
- Eating Out _________
- Clothing
- Purchase _________
- Laundry, cleaning _________
- Transportation
- Car Payments _________
- Gas &Oil _________
- Repairs & Tires ________
- Bus, Metro _________
- Insurance
- Car _________
- Medical _________
- House _________
- Life _________
- Medical
- Doctor visits _________
- Prescriptions _________
- School/Learning
- Children _________
- Your tuition _________
- Personal
- Child Care _________
- Child-Support _________
- Parent Support _________
- Bills and Debts
- Credit cards _________
- Other _________
- Entertainment
- Movies, videos, etc. _________
- Gifts _________
- Vacation _________
- Other _________
- Total Monthly Spending. _____________
- Total Net Income ________________
- Total Spending ________________
- I want Net Income larger than Total Spending
Nice going!!! Another action is Excellence in All.
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