Stewardship in the Bible: 10 Fundamentals Pastors Need to Know (Plus Examples)
Biblical Stewardship & Management: Stewardship is about me partnering with God to best utilize the resources (people, finances, etc) He's entrusted to the church I serve.
Biblical Stewardship & Trust: Stewardship is about intimacy with Jesus, trusting Him with both my own security, and the health (financial and otherwise) of the church I serve.
Biblical Stewardship & Shepherding: Stewardship is about taking good care of the people Jesus has entrusted to me, putting relationships and discipliship first.
For a lot of church members, their concept of "stewardship" is vastly different than stewardship in the Bible. There's a clear disconnect.
I get it. One of the first times I heard the word 'stewardship' was in my early teens, when my church launched a building campaign. To me, it seemed obvious that 'stewardship' was just Christian-speak for "please give more money to the church."
That's... totally inaccurate.
Real stewardship in the Bible is about trusting Jesus with everything. It’s about managing what He’s placed in our hands—money, yes, but also time, energy, relationships, and influence. It’s about leaning into Jesus, not just funding ministry.
Does all of this overlap with tithing, church support, church budgets, buildings, church giving software, etc? Of course! But here's the thing: stewardship is SO MUCH more than handling money.
What Is Stewardship?
Stewardship is all about management of the resources entrusted to us by God. As a pastor, you know more than most that management can get messy. That’s why we’re going to take a look at what the bible tells us about stewardship in this article.
Stewardship is managing God’s blessings, God’s ways, for God’s glory…That means our time, talents, treasure, relationships, jobs and, yes, our stuff. It’s all God’s, and He trusts us with it.
RamseySolutions.com
10 Fundamentals of Biblical Stewardship
1. Everything Belongs to God (Ownership)
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.” (Psalm 24:1-2)
Everything belongs to the Lord, and that includes our time, talents, money, and possessions. This perspective shifts our mindset from ownership to management, where we accept our responsibility as caretakers of resources He’s placed in our hands.
A biblical view of money requires that we recognize God’s ownership of everything.
Ron blue (surviving financial meltdown)
We are called to use the resources God has given us wisely, responsibly, and in a way that honors Him. This helps foster humility, gratitude, and a sense of responsibility within us to manage God's gifts in line with His will.
When we acknowledge God's ownership, every spending decision becomes a spiritual decision.
Larry Burkett ‘The Complete Guide to Managing Your Money
2. We Are Trusted to Manage God's Resources (Responsibility)
“Fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Genesis 1:28
God entrusts us with His creation and wants to help us manage it wisely and faithfully. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) is a great example where servants are given resources to manage on behalf of their master.
The two servants who multiplied the master’s money were praised:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:21).
The one who buried his master's money in the dirt? He was rebuked for being wicked and lazy, and the resource was taken away from him and given to the one with ten.
Better Safe than Sorry?
And yet, have you ever read this scripture and thought, ‘better safe than sorry?’, or even pitied the last servant? After all, he didn’t lose his master’s money, right? He just didn’t multiply it. But when we work diligently and by faith, we can trust the results to God, just as He has entrusted us with the talents, ideas, and resources.
A few key lessons emerge from this parable:
- Take initiative and be diligent — nothing is gained if no action is taken
- Take risks (by faith), and trust God with the outcome
- Be ready to give an account of your work
- Life is about rewards and consequences — and each are largely based on our actions
As stewards, we are responsible for using our time, talents, and treasures in ways that align with God's purposes and bring Him glory. This includes caring for creation, supporting the church, helping those in need, and using our abilities to serve others. So therefore, let us be diligent, ethical, and purposeful in all that we do.
3. We Will Give An Account of Our Stewardship (Accountability)
We will be held accountable for how we manage our resources. Stewardship includes accountability (Romans 14:12, Mattthew 25:14-30, 2 Corinthians 5:10). Not just for budgets and buildings, but how we use our time, energy, and relationships.
- Do you prioritize the things that are most important to Jesus, or the things that are most urgent?
- Do you coast on your natural strengths, or do you work diligently to build healthy habits?
It is the hope and joy of every believer, and every pastor, that one day, they hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant" and taking good care of the time, energy, and relationships we've got? That's part of stewardship.
4. Being Trustworthy in Big & Small Thigns (Faithfulness)
Our faithfulness in minor details reflects our overall character and reliability. By being trustworthy in all things, we build a foundation of integrity that prepares us for greater responsibilities, and honors God.
In Luke 16:10, Jesus explains the faithfulness principle:
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”
Jesus teaches that faithfulness in the everyday, mundane things as a requirement prior to gaining more responsibilities.
Faithfulness in little things leads to faithfulness in great things.
Charles Spurgeon
5. Giving Willingly and Cheerfully (Generosity)
In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This verse emphasizes that giving should not be done out of obligation or pressure, but as a voluntary and joyful act.
When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.
Randy Alcorn (The Treasure Principle)
This generous spirit enhances our relationship with God and fosters a positive, giving culture in our churches. Pastoral tip: model what you desire to see!
“Having first, gained all you can, and, secondly saved all you can, then give all you can.”
John Wesley
6. Use Resources Wisely (Wisdom)
Proverbs 3:9-10 reminds us how to prioritize our wealth and resources: "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
Wise stewardship involves:
- Prioritizing God: Honoring Him first in our financial decisions and other resources.
- Planning and Budgeting: have you heard the saying, “a budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went”? Plan, and budget. Keep it simple — it works.
- Investing in Eternity: Using our resources to make much of Jesus and to point others to Him — things that have eternal significance.
Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.
Howard Dayton (Free and Clear)
Steward wisely, and with discernment, and debt is one trap you can stay out of.
7. Serving Others with Our Gifts (Service)
Our gifts are not just for ourselves. Our God-given abilities and resources are to help and support others, in our immediate family, and beyond.
In serving others, we follow Jesus' example, and fulfill His command to love our neighbors as ourselves. This service can take many forms, such as volunteering, offering our skills to benefit the community, or providing financial support to those in need.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10
Using our gifts to serve includes:
- Recognizing our gifts: Understanding that every person has unique talents and abilities given by God.
- Serving others: Actively using our gifts to help, support, and uplift those around us.
- Faithful Stewardship: Managing and using our gifts responsibly, knowing they are part of God's grace.
- Building community: Strengthening the church and broader community through acts of service and love.
By serving others with our gifts, we fulfill God's command to love our neighbors and reflect His love and generosity in our actions.
8. Demonstrating Thankfulness for God’s Provision (Gratitude)
Demonstrating thankfulness for God's provision means recognizing and expressing gratitude for the blessings we receive. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 provides practical instructions for living a life of faithfulness and gratitude, including the exhortation to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (verses 18).
This ‘attitude of gratitude’ (yes, it’s corny — but it sticks in my brain... so it works) is a key aspect of stewardship. It reminds us that in all that we do and anything we are going through or suffering in, keep a thankful outlook.
9. Caring for Creation (Sustainability)
Every time God made something during the six days of Creation, Genesis tells us, “and God saw that it was good”. Genesis 1). The Gospel Project explains that creation is fundamentally good because in its intended and original design, it reflects its Maker.
In Genesis 2:15, God places Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it: you could say it marks their inaugural role as caretakers.
It’s in our DNA to use natural resources wisely, and preserve the environment for future generations.
Joshua Gordon
Caring for creation, therefore, is a natural part of our stewardship as humans.
Our steward of creation reflects a respect for what God created, and it’s also a necessity for the continued growth of humankind. When we steward creation, we honor God. Creation itself (in its natural form), glorifies its Creator.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork
Psalm 19:1
10. Use Resources to Fulfill God's Purposes (Purpose)
As God’s kids, we are asked to manage what our Father has given us —time, talents, and resources—in ways that align with God's will and mission. We are called to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
It makes sense that one of our highest priorities is to recognize that everything we possess is ultimately God's and should be used to advance His kingdom and serve others:
- supporting church activities
- helping those in need
- sharing the Gospel
- using personal skills and abilities for the common good.
The principle of purpose is about reflecting God's love and faithfulness in our actions, and pointing others to Him.
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Warning: Carefully Avoid THESE Church Stewardship Errors
Error #1: Preaching Stewardship Only As It Relates to Money
Stewardship isn’t just about finances, and to preach in this way would be a misstep, for two major reasons:
- Everything we have belongs to the Lord. All of it: our families, our homes, our resources, our time, and our abilities (not just our money).
- Stewardship helps equip us to follow and fulfill the Great Commission.
Error #2: Preaching About Stewardship to Boost Church Giving
I think we all know this is a no-no, right? We don’t teach the congregation on stewardship, tithing and giving SO THAT the church can make more money. No! We teach to disciple, expound on God’s word, and show what practical, godly living looks like.
Stewardship is part of our spiritual DNA: starting from Adam, God gave mankind the responsibility of stewarding His creation. The hope for all believers is (or could be), that the Lord says to us one day when we meet face-to-face, “well done, good and faithful servant”, having lived well trusting Him and faithfully managing the roles, responsibilities and resources He’s put in our lives.
While we don’t preach on stewardship so people give more, a natural result of teaching on financial stewardship and generous giving is that believers will desire to become generous givers. Once we have laid the proper spiritual foundation, we can then teach on the blessings that come with faithful giving, and giving like our good and faithful Father.
Error #3: Ignoring the Truth That Stewardship Is About Our Hearts
As with most things, stewardship is a heart matter. It really isn’t about rules, numbers and percentages — as much as we may wish it to be, at times. Stewardship should be our response to who God is, who we are in Christ, and what He commands us to do. When we’re unclear about what this means, the best place to start is Scripture. “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).”
Jesus talks about money a lot throughout the New Testament (more than he says on both heaven and hell!). When it comes to giving, here’s what He said on the attitude and approach we should have:
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Error #4: Using Guilt or Pressure
I doubt most pastors intend to rely on tactics of guilt and pressure. But, it can happen, especially in certain situations:
- When you're feeling financial strain
- If people have left the church
- If giving has declined
The challenge to consider is this:
Are you focused on the problem (lack of finances) , the solution (increased giving), or on what Jesus is speaking to your heart?
Please do not use guilt-tripping or pressure! It is always against your best interest and undermines the Gospel! We follow God as New Covenant believers not under law. Believers desire to do things that God puts on their hearts. Let's encourage them to seek out Jesus's direction, and listen to His voice!
The essence of Christian ethics is not a matter of mere decision making but of making right decisions that stem from the character of God
R.C. Sproul
Your church will respond to the nudges of the Holy Spirit and the character of Christ that is being cultivated in them. Help them focus on Jesus, not on money.
Error #5: Ignoring Your Personal Example
It may be cliche, but ‘practice what you preach.’ As church leaders, when we don’t demonstrate good stewardship in our own lives, it can undermine our credibility. Authentic, Christ-led teaching requires us to lead the way for others and ultimately point them to Jesus and His example.
Share why you give and how it’s blessed you (note: not how MUCH you give!) This a great way to encourage people to become cheerful givers.
Modeling giving isn’t just about finances though. It’s also in how we serve and love others. It models the heart and character of God.
When we understand true, biblical stewardship, the trajectories of our lives change with every decision we make:
- We begin to build a legacy of stewardship in our families.
- We treat our spouses and kids differently.
- We approach our work with a new sense of purpose.
- We become grateful for everything we have.
- We live within our means.
- We have hope for the future.”
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