What the Bible Says About Being a Good Steward

As a Christian, we know that everything we have been blessed with, no matter how small, is from the Lord. God expects that we use those blessings as good stewards. This applies to every area of our lives, including our finances.

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus says to be “wise as serpants and harmless as doves.” As a good steward, we are expected to use what we have been given wisely. It doesn’t mean you have to save all of your money, but instead be intentional about what you do with it.

There are no hard and fast rules about what we each as individuals should do with every dollar we make. That’s why it is important to pray and seek God’s purpose for every area of our lives, including our finances. What we do know is it’s important to take care of our family (1 Timothy 5:8) and beyond that, we should use our money in a way that glorifies God.

1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “It is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” God expects that we are faithful to Him with our resources, whether they be gifts, talents, or financial resources.

If we can be trusted with the little things we are given, God is more likely to trust us with even more. Matthew 25:20-21 says, “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”

Because we are good stewards with our money doesn’t mean we will suddenly fall into wealth someday. But the Bible does say in Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Colossians 3:23-24 says, “and whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” If we remember what our purpose here on earth is as children of God, being a good steward of all we are given should be our goal.