Does God even care about money? You bet. God cares because he calls you to be a good steward of money.
All you need to do is open your Bible. The answers are all there. Yes, it’s true.
Let me explain.
Why You Should Be a Good Steward of Money
It is God’s Money
We know God doesn’t need money. For starters, we can’t give Him money in the physical sense. And don’t forget. God made us with the ability to make our own choices. So that would only mean one thing, we can use our money as we please, right?
Wrong!
The word ‘money’ occurs 140 times in the Bible. Think about it. Why would God spend so much time addressing a topic he didn’t care about?
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” Psalm 24:1
You’re only a steward of God’s dominion. Certainly, God wants you to be a good steward.
We belong to God as do our possessions. And He cares about all of His creation.
The bottom line is God knows poor money management leads to financial disaster. And he wants us to have a bright future.
Responsibilities of a Good Steward of Money?
Acknowledge God
The first step of becoming a good steward of money means you must accept God as the owner.
When you’re sitting down to plan out your family budget, make sure God has a seat at the table.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6
We will have aspirations and God welcomes them. We will also deal with financial hardships. He welcomes those too.
We think we know the best way to manage our money. Let’s be honest, we don’t. But God knows.
Above all, he only asks that we include Him as we plan.
A good steward takes care of God’s dominion. This means making wise decisions regarding everything God gave us—our time, gifts, and money.
For example, a budget, emergency fund, debt-free living, and giving back to your community are all signs of a good steward of money.
Steps Needed to Become a Good Steward of Money
1. Create a Budget
A budget tells your money what to do and helps secure you and your family’s future.
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” Luke 14:28
A budget helps you live within your means and plan for future expenses. When you do not track your income and spending, it causes a slew of problems, from overspending and getting into debt.
Look at it this way, if you’re not allocating your money, then you’re not paying off debt or saving toward your long-term goals.
2. Avoid Debt
Can we agree that the love of money is the root of all evil? I don’t understand why people omit the word, love. Consequently, it changes the meaning. God does not condemn the wealthy outright.
However, God will punish you for loving money. The love of money is idolatry and a sure-fire way to spiritual decay.
Think about it? If you spend more time accumulating wealth and spend less time with God, who is the master? Is it not money?
The desire to gain wealth can also lead to overspending and debt.
“Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
When we are in debt, it means we’ve been buying things we couldn’t afford. Sadly, we don’t realize it until we’ve hit rock bottom. We suffer many sleepless nights wondering how we’ll ever pay off our debt.
Similar to the children of Israel, debt keeps us in bondage. But, the good news is that God wants all his children to be free from mental, physical, and spiritual bondage.
If you’re in debt, set up a financial plan to control your spending and pay off your debt.
3. Start Saving
Don’t spend all your money once you get it. Save money each time you receive a paycheck.
“The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.” Proverbs 21:20
Have you ever struggled to cover an unexpected expense, but a week prior you spent the same amount of money on something you didn’t need?
I’ve been there.
Since it is impossible to see the future, we can’t plan for every financial situation. However, when we save for emergencies, retirement, and expenses, we are getting ahead of the game.
Start an emergency fund to help you pay for unexpected expenses.
Create a plan to save $1000. Stop there and work on paying off your debts. Once you’ve paid off your debts, continue funding your emergency fund. You should aim to save at least 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses.
So, what do you do after you’ve reached these milestones?
This is when you plan for long-term goals. When you plan and save for a vacation or buying a new car, you’re much more likely to stay out of debt.
Signs of a Good Steward of Money
You’re Content with What You Have
Naturally, we strive to live a joyful and abundant life. However, plans don’t always work out the way we intend.
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content…”1 Timothy 6: 6-9
As long as you have shelter, food, water, and clothing, you’ve met your basic needs. You’re good to go. Everything beyond that is the icing on the cake.
It is that simple.
Earning extra money can be a blessing. For instance, you can use it to pay down debt or treat yourself to something nice. But beware of chasing possessions. Instead, focus on spiritual wealth.
You Show Gratitude
When your budget is tight, there’s no room for much else. What can you do when you struggle to pay off your debt or add to your emergency fund?
Yeah, I’ve asked myself the same question. And the answer is to give thanks.
A few years ago, I was at one of the lowest points in my life—unemployed and broke. As a result, I couldn’t pay my bills, but I had shelter and food. I eventually found a job and caught up on my bills.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Give thanks for everything. When we express our gratitude in every circumstance, it reveals our reverence for God and our need for Him.
You Pay it Forward
When we are thankful, it shows in how we treat others.
“All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 16:17
Have you ever received something from someone, but they turned around and complained about it? It makes you want to give it back, doesn’t it?
I don’t blame you.
Likewise, you shouldn’t feel burden after giving or guilty for giving too little. God loves a cheerful giver.
Don’t forget to include your offerings in your budget. Let’s face it. When we leave an item out of our budget, we either spend too much on it or forget it altogether.
Are you ready to be a good steward of money?
Awesome breakdown and supportive scripture. Thank You for this article.
Thank You 😊
thank you for giving your time to do this. the holy spirit spoke to me through your Blog and increased my understanding and answered my prayer.
On time! Thanks for this good read and breakdown
This really encouraged me and spoke to me thank you