When most people today hear the word “slave,” they naturally think of the evil practice of the past wherein people actually owned other people as property or chattel. Though slavery still exists in some remote places, by and large, it has been officially abolished throughout the civilized world. As we learned in Part One of this two installment series, in ancient times slavery was an intrinsic aspect of society. Historians say that there may have been more slaves in ancient Rome than citizens.
In those ancient days, some slaves were designated as an oikonomos, or steward, over his owner’s property. A steward was the slave designated to manage the master’s estate. The Bible teaches that Christians are to be stewards of God’s resources that He has entrusted to them. As we discussed in Part One of this two installment series, this is what is meant by the principle of Christian Stewardship. To read Part One go here: http://www.marketfaith.org/2022/08/another-look-at-christian-stewardship-part-1-tal-davis/
In that first installment we examined what most people think of when they hear the term stewardship. In most folks minds, stewardship is the same thing as giving or donating to one’s church or a parachurch ministry. Obviously, giving is a vital dimension of being a good Christian steward, but it is certainly not the only thing that matters. In this installment we will examine five other important aspects of stewardship. We begin with how people acquire the material and financial resources they possess, that is, how they earn a living.
EARNING – Though many may not think so, it really matters to God how a person makes a living. He expects Christians to make their living in honest and ethical ways. Of course, Christians make careers in all kinds of professions or trades. Some are businessmen and businesswomen, some are in the medical or dental fields, some serve in the military, others work in trades like electricians or plumbers, and others work in food services. Many Christians work for non-profit ministries and charities. The options are virtually limitless these days. That being the fact, God does not care how a Christian chooses to make a living so long as it ethical and is glorifying to Him.
Obviously, this means a believer should never be involved any kind of illegal activities. Selling drugs, embezzling funds, or any other kind of criminal enterprise, is definitely unacceptable for the believer. Nonetheless, even some technically legal ways of acquiring wealth may not be ethical from a Christian perspective. Should a Christian make his or her living selling alcohol, gambling, in “adult entertainment,” or working in an abortion clinic? Those are legal businesses that are, at best, morally questionable from a Christian position (as is working for ministries that are fraudulent). This means that Christian stewards should seriously ask themselves if their professions are morally acceptable and glorifying to God. If not, they should get out as soon as possible. If they are not sure, they should pray about it and seek counsel from mature Christians.
SPENDING – Second, a good Christian steward should be conscious of just how and where he spends the resources God has entrusted to him. He is definitely concerned about how believers spend the money He provides for them. Believers should be mindful of the purchases they make and be sure they are glorifying to God. Christian stewards clearly should not support any activities or buy products that are illegal. They should also not support activities or buy products that may be legal but are nonetheless immoral or harmful.
Furthermore, they should carefully analyze their spending habits. Are they spending more than they should or can afford? It is a bad witness for Christ for a believer to be deep in debt or have bad credit. They also need to consider if they are spending money on luxuries they really do not need. Do they really need to drive the biggest cars, purchase the most expensive homes, eat at the most expensive restaurants, stay in the best hotels, or buy expensive clothes or jewelry? Christians should learn to spend within their means and live frugal lives.
SAVING – God expects good stewards to save resources for the future. It is wise to save a reasonable amount of one’s income to make future purchases and to prepare for unexpected needs. People never know when something unexpected may happen. Having a savings account and putting aside a regular portion of one’s income is a wise habit to cultivate.
Nonetheless, in this regard, the good steward must be careful not to be guilty of hoarding his or her resources. God intends for His people to utilize what He has given them to enhance His kingdom on earth. It also is important for a community’s economic health for people to utilize their resources wisely. Remember this important spiritual principle Jesus taught: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
INVESTING – Very close to the principle of saving is that of making wise investments. Where and how stewards invest their resources is also a concern to God. It matters to Him how and where believers put their money to make it multiply its value. Investing in the stock market, investing in local businesses, or acquiring precious metals are a few ways to increase one’s wealth over time. Yes, Christians want to draw the highest returns possible, but, again, only in ways that are ethical and glorifying to God. Believers should always consider the ethical policies of a company when purchasing stocks or bonds. Is the business worthy of our investment? For instance, is it good for a Christian buy stock in a tobacco company?
MAKING A WILL – A good steward is conscious not only of how his or her resources are utilized in this life, but is also mindful of what will happen to it after he or she is gone. For that reason Christians (even young adults) should take the time to decide how and to whom their estates will be divided at their death. This is why it is important to have a well thought out will. Just how one’s resources will be utilized after their death, or to whom it will go are significant issues for a Christian steward to address while still living.
In that regard, much of what is left behind can still be used to further the kingdom of God. Christians can direct their material possessions to be utilized for the furtherance of the gospel long after they are gone by leaving some of their estate to legitimate Christian causes or foundations.
CONCLUSION
So then, what is a Christians steward (oikonomos)? They are believers in Christ who understand that God is the actual owner of all that they possess. In fact, they is not the owners of their own lives. They are like a slave who owns nothing but is put in charge of their master’s estate to manage it for the owner’s benefit. God is the Christian’s master and He has appointed the believer to be His manager of a portion of His material world.
As we have seen, being a good Christian steward involves six principles of financial management. They are: (1) giving financial to support God’s work in the world; (2) earning a living in a way that glorifies God; (3) spending one’s money wisely; (4) saving a portion of one’s income for future needs; (5) carefully and wisely investing one’s money so it will grow and multiply; and (6) planning for how one’s estate will be divided at death by making a will.
Are you a good steward? Are you being faithful in all these areas of your life? Will Jesus say to you what He said in one of His parables? “Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:23)
© 2022 Tal Davis