Symptoms of Faithful Stewardship
We’ve talked about what biblical stewardship is and why biblical stewardship is important. So how do we know if we’re doing it right?
I think the best way to reflect on the quality of our stewardship is to look at the results. Do note that faithful stewardship can’t be faked.
The way we manage God’s resources is evident and reflects the real priorities and values in our lives. Every spending and financial decision is a spiritual decision since none of it belongs to us.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us that we can learn about a person by looking at the fruit that they produce.
"'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.’"
In this context, fruit signifies the good deeds and works resulting from a heart that’s been transformed by Jesus.
So how do we know if we’re stewarding in a fruitful manner? Let’s take a look.
Note: We’ll mostly be looking at the symptoms regarding the use of money specifically. However, many of these symptoms hold true for the other things we steward.
Giving
First, our giving should be proportionate to our income or at least working earnestly in that direction. We see Paul write about this in his first epistle to the Corinthians.
"Now concerning the money collected for [the relief of] the saints [in Jerusalem], you are to do the same as I directed the churches of Galatia to do . On the first day of every week each one of you is to put something aside, in proportion to his prosperity, and save it so that no collections [will need to] be made when I come."
I believe that we should be giving at least something no matter our circumstances or season of life. This keeps our hearts and minds calibrated to understanding that it’s all God’s. It also breaks the power of money in our lives.
However, I’m not naive in realizing that many Christians are battling financial distress. So if you’re giving less than you want in order to get your “financial house in order”, that’s okay. Both of these are pleasing to God. An example of this would be giving 3% of your income instead of 10% so that you may pay off high interest credit card debt.
When giving, there isn’t a “right” number or percentage to stop at. Just as God’s abundant love and grace is without limit we should also be careful about imposing hard limits. For example, rarely is 10% of income the place to stop when it comes to our giving. One question we can be mindful of is, “Is this sacrificial giving?”
Controlled and Debt-free
Next, our lifestyle should be one that is controlled and debt-free. It should be controlled in that that we exhibit restraint and self-control when tempted to live recklessly and carelessly. Furthermore, the use of debt shouldn’t be a means of fueling our lifestyle. If it is then we need to step back and search our heart for why.
We see Solomon speak pretty clearly about the bondage of debt in Proverbs 22.
"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender."
I get it, it often takes time to become debt-free but the key here is “controlled”. A controlled lifestyle is only accomplished by our self-control. This self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that Paul speaks of. So we must ask ourselves are we walking in the Spirit and does that self-control pour over into our personal finances?
One last thing on self-control. Paul often spoke of contentment and gratitude. I think contentment is the best quality to foster self-control. And contentment only comes with a heart full of gratitude.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”
Integrity and Thanksgiving
Most of us dread paying taxes, especially if we believe the government spends irresponsibility. However, a sign of a good steward is paying taxes with thanksgiving & integrity.
We should be grateful of God’s provision when we have taxes to pay. Remember, nothing belongs to us. We’re simply paying God’s tax liability, that He created, with His money. The authority of the tax code was instituted by God.
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement."
Under our progressive tax system, the more money you make the more you will pay in taxes. We should also operate with utmost integrity when paying taxes. Tax reduction strategies aren’t illegal or unethical but tax evasion is another story.
Like Paul stated above, resisting the authorities is the same as resisting God, since He appoints all. Also, Jesus was pretty clear on handing over possession to whom it was due.
“‘Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’”
Accountability
As Christians, an integral piece of maturing in our faith is accountability. There should be people in our life that we’ve invited to hold us accountable, to keep us on track Spiritually.
These relationships are hallmarked with confession, vulnerability and full transparency. Anyone that has an accountability partner knows that they’ve been better off and have accomplished exponentially more than if they didn’t have one.
Why? Because there’s fruit to be had when guided and corrected out of love. Stewardship is no different. We need accountability to make sure we’re acting honorably with what we have. Too often do we become blind to our biases and weaknesses. God designed us to live life with others in community.
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
If Jesus spoke so much about temptations and danger of money then we need to be serious about having accountability in relation to money. Accountability is an intentional act that ensures we aren’t idolizing money instead of worshiping God.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Just as you can bear good fruit as a steward, you can also bear bad fruit. Remember, we’re all stewards whether we’re doing well or not. If we’re doing poorly, we’re in no manner absolved. Similar to the Parable of the Talents, we will ALL give an account (whether good or bad) with what the master has entrusted to us when he returns.
What does the fruit look like in your life from your stewardship?
