What Is Christian Stewardship?

Every Sunday we’re reminded of the “Call to Go.” This Core Value is like a benediction with an added flavor of life application. Every time, I’m reminded about God’s invitation to participate in a grander narrative which is much greater than my own story. To say it another way, the goal of life is not to discover God’s will for my life; it’s to know God’s plan of redemption, and then align all of my life to serve his purposes. 

Revelation 7:9 shows us the overarching goal of God’s grander narrative:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

With this reality in view, we would be wise to invest our lives in building God’s kingdom. To be sure, this doesn’t mean we downplay the simple and routine things of life. On the contrary, it means we’re able to infuse the little things with purpose that lasts beyond the moment. Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 10:31: 

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

It’s best to think about aiming your life toward God’s purposes through the lens of biblical stewardship. When most Christians hear or think about stewardship, we primarily think of finances. But if that’s all we think, we’re missing most of the picture. A fuller and holistic view of stewardship will motivate us to do the hard work of investing in God’s eternal purposes. 

One helpful definition of stewardship, from Dave Ramsey, is that “stewardship is managing God’s blessings, God’s way, for God’s glory.” 

We can think about stewardship in three main ways—time, talent, and treasure. Let’s consider a few questions regarding these three components in order to think and live with greater stewardship in mind.

Time 

• How are you investing your time in this life in a way that impacts the life to come? 
• Do you view your time as a finite resource to be stewarded well? 

Talent

• Are you aware of the strengths and passions God has given you? 
• How are you utilizing your talents in a way that moves yourself and others to worship God? 

Treasure

• Do you view your finances and possessions as tools that God can use for his purposes? 
• Do you hold them with an open hand and a heart of worship? 

Christian Stewardship

Isn’t it amazing that God invites us to participate in his mission? He graciously uses our imperfect efforts to glorify his name and build his kingdom. That is a hope to live for, and a vision that endures beyond death!