Stewardship Begins Before the Wallet

I don't think the Lord is minimizing financial stewardship. Rather, He may be helping you see that financial stewardship is only one branch growing out of a much deeper root.

The first stewardship in Scripture wasn't money.

It was life itself.

Consider the progression:

1. Stewardship of God's Presence – Adam and Eve walked with God. Their first responsibility was a relationship with Him (Genesis 2–3).
2. Stewardship of the Body – They were to obey God's command concerning the tree. Their own bodies were to remain under God's authority. Sin entered when they surrendered dominion over themselves.
3. Stewardship of Their Work – God placed Adam in the garden "to tend and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). Work existed before the Fall. Work is not a curse; difficult labor is the result of the curse.
4. Stewardship of Creation – They were given dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). They were managers of God's property, not owners.
5. Stewardship of Family – They were commanded to be fruitful and multiply.

Only much later in Scripture do we begin reading about wealth, possessions, and tithes.

That is a fascinating progression, don't you think?

I think the main point could be expressed like this:

• Stewardship doesn't begin in my wallet.
• Stewardship begins in my heart.
• It begins with my relationship to God, my obedience to His Word, the care of the body He entrusted to me, and the work He created me to do.
• Money is simply one expression of faithful stewardship—not its foundation.

This thought fits beautifully with my "I'm Well Done" theme.

The servant in the Parable of the Talents wasn't praised because he became wealthy.

He was praised for his faithfulness.

Jesus didn't say,

"Well done, good and profitable servant."

He said,

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Faithfulness is the issue.

---

Another thought that came to me...

When Paul wrote:

"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit...?" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

He wasn't merely discussing morality.

He was reminding believers:

Your body belongs to Someone else.

That is stewardship.

When Paul says:

"Present your bodies a living sacrifice..." (Romans 12:1)

That is also stewardship.

Then Peter writes:

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10)

Now, stewardship includes our spiritual gifts.

Paul even says:

"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2)

• Notice what is required.
• Not success.
• Not wealth.
• It is "Faithfulness".

---

I can almost hear the Lord saying...

"Stop thinking stewardship begins with your money.

Stewardship begins with you.

• I gave you a body.
• I gave you time.
• I gave you abilities.
• I gave you My Spirit.
• I gave you My Word.
• I gave you work to do.
• I gave you people to love.
• I gave you opportunities to serve.

Money is only one small part of everything I have entrusted to you."

That thought seems to tie together much of what the Lord has been impressing on my heart over the past several weeks. I've repeatedly been drawn to themes of "Well Done," "Be doers of the Word," "For My name's sake," and faithfulness rather than outward success. This idea of stewardship brings those threads together.

When most Christians hear the word stewardship, they immediately think about money, tithing, budgets, and giving. Those things matter, but they are not where biblical stewardship begins.

• Long before there was money…
• Long before there were offerings…
• Long before anyone possessed wealth…
• God entrusted Adam with something far more valuable.

He entrusted him with himself.

God gave Adam a body to govern, a garden to cultivate, work to accomplish, and His Word to obey. Adam's first stewardship was not financial—it was personal. He was called to faithfully manage everything God had placed into his care.

The same is true for us.

Every morning we wake up with gifts from God that are more valuable than money: our relationship with Christ, our body, our mind, our time, our abilities, our spiritual gifts, our opportunities, and the people He places in our lives. We are not owners of these things; we are stewards.

If we faithfully manage what God has entrusted to us, our finances will naturally become one expression of that faithfulness—not its starting point.

One day, when we stand before Jesus, I don't believe He will begin by asking how much money we have accumulated. He will ask whether we were faithful with what He entrusted to us.

That is why the words every believer longs to hear are not, "Well done, successful servant," but:

"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)

May we become faithful stewards—not only of our finances, but of our lives—for His Name's sake.

In His Name... For His Name's Sake

As I was reading through one of my old journals recently, two phrases of Jesus seemed to leap off the page.

"In My name."

"For My name's sake."

I had underlined them years ago, but this time they seemed connected in a way I had never noticed before.

The more I searched the Scriptures, the more I realized that these two phrases describe the entire Christian life.

Jesus tells us to gather in His name (Matthew 18:20).

He tells us to receive others in His name (Matthew 18:5).

He tells us to pray in His name (John 14:13-14).

Everything we do is to represent Him. His name is more than a phrase we say at the end of a prayer. His Name represents His authority, His character, His truth, and His Kingdom.

As believers, we carry His Name wherever we go.

Then Jesus says something equally important.

"You will be hated by all nations for My name's sake." (Matthew 24:9)

Notice the connection.

We live in His Name.

Sometimes we suffer for His Name's sake.

The privilege and the cost belong together.

The apostles understood this perfectly. After they had been beaten for preaching Christ, they rejoiced because they had been "counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 5:41)

That verse has challenged me.

Would I still serve Jesus if no one applauded?

Would I still speak His truth if people rejected me?

Would I still obey Him if it cost me friendships, comfort, or popularity?

I believe these are questions every believer should ask.

As I looked back through that old journal, I realized something else.

God has been teaching me this lesson for many years. Sometimes we don't fully understand what He is showing us until much later. Looking back reminds us that God has been patiently shaping us all along.

Perhaps that is why Jesus spoke so often about His Name.

One day, every other name will fade away.

Only one Name will remain forever.

My prayer is that every day of my life will point someone to Jesus, so that one day I may hear the words I long to hear:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Until then, may we live faithfully in His Name, even if it means suffering for His Name's sake.

 

Stewardship Mentoring: A Personal Invitation

For many years, I have had the privilege of helping individuals and families learn how to manage their finances according to God's principles.

Long before becoming involved in business funding, I served as a Volunteer Budget Counselor with both Crown Financial Ministries and Larry Burkett's Christian Financial Concepts. I later facilitated Financial Peace University classes and taught biblical money management principles in local churches.

Over the years, I have learned something very important:

Most financial problems are not simply money problems.

They are stewardship problems.

God has entrusted each of us with resources, opportunities, talents, and responsibilities. When we learn to manage these according to His Word, we experience greater peace, less stress, and a deeper sense of purpose.

What Is Stewardship Mentoring?

Stewardship Mentoring is not financial planning, investment advice, or tax preparation.

Instead, it is a one-on-one opportunity to discuss:

• Creating a workable monthly budget
• Reducing debt
• Developing better spending habits
• Setting financial goals
• Understanding biblical stewardship principles
• Learning contentment and financial peace
• Aligning your finances with God's purposes for your life

My role is not to tell you what to do, but to help you think through your situation and discover practical solutions based upon biblical principles and personal responsibility.

Who Can Benefit?

You may benefit from Stewardship Mentoring if:

• You feel overwhelmed by debt
• You live paycheck to paycheck
• You struggle with budgeting
• You want to become a better steward of God's resources
• You desire biblical guidance regarding money management
• You simply need someone to help you create a plan

My Experience

• Volunteer Budget Counselor
• Christian Financial Concepts (Larry Burkett)
• Crown Financial Ministries Budget Counselor
• Financial Peace University Facilitator
• Author of "Your War On Debt"
• More than four decades of studying and teaching biblical stewardship principles

Stewardship Mentoring Fees

Free Initial Consultation

30-Minute Phone Consultation

This allows us to get acquainted and determine whether Stewardship Mentoring would be helpful for your situation.

Individual Mentoring Session

60 Minutes — $50

Four-Session Stewardship Package

Four 60-Minute Sessions — $175

Sessions may be conducted by phone or Zoom.

Payment

Payment is accepted through PayPal Invoice.

An invoice will be emailed before each scheduled session.

My Goal

My goal is not merely to help you improve your finances.

My desire is to help you become a faithful steward of everything God has entrusted to you.

One day, every believer hopes to hear these precious words from our Lord:

"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)

I believe faithful stewardship is part of that journey.

If you would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact me through this blog.

Together, let's take the next step toward financial peace and faithful stewardship.

Disclaimer: Stewardship Mentoring is educational and faith-based in nature. I am not a licensed financial advisor, investment advisor, attorney, accountant, or tax professional. Any financial decisions remain the responsibility of the client.

 

Consequences Of Being In Debt And How To SOLVE It | Everything You Need To Know

Debt Doesn't Have To Control Your Future

Many good people find themselves struggling with debt. Unexpected medical bills, job loss, divorce, inflation, poor financial decisions, or simply life's hardships can create a burden that feels impossible to overcome.

The Bible reminds us that we are to be wise stewards of what God has entrusted to us. When debt begins to control our lives, it can rob us of peace, strain relationships, and create unnecessary stress and worry.

In this video, you'll learn about the real consequences of debt and discover practical solutions that may help you regain control of your finances and move toward financial freedom.

In This Video, You'll Discover:

• How debt affects your financial future
• The emotional and personal toll that debt can create
• What can happen when debt problems are ignored
• How debt impacts your credit score and borrowing ability
• Options that may help reduce or eliminate debt
• When it may be time to seek professional assistance

If you are struggling with debt and would like to explore your options, you can request a FREE, no-obligation consultation here: 

https://lp.curadebt.com/spinwheel-verify/?utm_source=7JQPN

My desire is not simply to help people improve their finances, but to help them experience greater peace, freedom, and responsible stewardship in every area of life.

Remember, no matter how difficult your financial situation may seem today, there is hope. The first step toward solving a problem is facing it and taking action.

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." — Proverbs 11:14

#DebtRelief #DebtHelp #FinancialFreedom #BiblicalStewardship #ChristianFinance #MoneyManagement #DebtSolutions #FinancialPeace #CuraDebt

THE HIGH COST OF INCONVENIENT OBEDIENCE

How the Wisest, Richest Man Ruined His Life - A John Barnett Online Teaching

Living A Life That Counts For Eternity

 

The Word Changes Me

One of the things I've noticed in my daily Bible reading is that the Word of God is changing me.

Not all at once.

Not overnight.

But little by little.

As I spend time reading and studying the Scriptures, I find that many of the thoughts, attitudes, and desires that once strongly pulled at me are becoming weaker. The things of God are becoming more important, and the things of the world are becoming less appealing.

This reminded me of what Paul wrote:

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2)

Notice that Paul didn't say we would be transformed by trying harder. He said we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

How is our mind renewed?

By filling it with God's Word.

The Bible is unlike any other book ever written. It is alive. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is "living and powerful." Every time we open our Bible, God is speaking to us. He is teaching us, correcting us, encouraging us, and shaping us into the image of Christ.

Many believers become discouraged because they still battle temptation or struggle with old habits. They expect instant change. But God's work is often like planting a seed. The seed goes into the ground long before the harvest appears.

Jesus taught this principle in the Parable of the Sower. The seed is the Word of God. When planted in good soil, it eventually produces a harvest—some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some one hundredfold.

Our responsibility is to keep planting the seed.

Keep reading.

Keep studying.

Keep listening.

Keep believing.

The changes may seem small from day to day, but over time, the results become unmistakable.

Looking back over the years, I can see that God's Word has changed the way I think, the way I speak, the way I respond to problems, and even the desires of my heart.

The Word changes me because the Author of the Word is changing me.

If you feel stuck in your spiritual walk today, don't quit reading your Bible. Don't become discouraged if growth seems slow.

Keep sowing the seed of God's Word into your heart.

In due season, you will reap a harvest.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9)

 

You Reap What You Sow | Galatians 6 | Gary Hamrick

There is a principle in life that the Bible teaches called the law of “sowing and reaping.” It’s particularly true for Christians who have a choice about whether they will feed their spirit or their flesh. The spirit is that part within us that is redeemed and eternal; the flesh is unredeemed and temporary. The spirit wants to please the Lord, and the flesh wants to gratify the sinful nature. If we nurture our spiritual nature, we will reap eternal life. But if we nurture our fleshly nature, we will reap destruction. Follow along today as Pastor Gary teaches the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping and how it applies to different aspects of life.

 

The Phrase I Could Not Get Out of My Mind

This morning during my Bible study, I came across a phrase that I could not get out of my mind.

Jesus said:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

I have read this verse many times over the years, but this morning the words, "the will of My Father in heaven," seemed to leap off the page.

As I sat quietly and thought about those words, another passage came to mind. It was Jesus' description of the judgment of the nations in Matthew 25, where He separates the sheep from the goats.

Both passages have something in common.

In both passages, there are people who appear confident about where they stand with God.

Yet the outcome is very different.

Then another phrase from Matthew 7 came to mind:

"I never knew you."

To be honest, those words trouble me.

Not because I doubt the goodness of God.

Not because I doubt the promises of Jesus.

But because so many people today assume they are saved simply because they know about Jesus, attend church, or identify themselves as Christians.

Yet Jesus was speaking to people who called Him "Lord."

The more I thought about it, the more I realized this passage is not really about someone else.

It is about me.

It is about every one of us.

Am I merely familiar with Jesus, or do I truly know Him?

Am I doing the will of my Father in heaven?

Am I following Christ because I love Him, or am I simply following religious traditions?

As I reflected on these questions, I remembered that salvation is not earned by good works. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

At the same time, genuine faith produces fruit.

The sheep in Matthew 25 did not serve others to become sheep. Their actions revealed who they already belonged to.

A healthy tree bears fruit because it is alive.

It does not become alive by bearing fruit.

Perhaps that is why these passages are so important.

They remind us that Christianity is not merely a religion.

It is a relationship.

One day, every one of us will stand before Jesus.

On that day, titles will not matter.

Church attendance will not matter.

Religious activity will not matter.

What will matter is whether we truly knew Him and whether our lives reflected the reality of that relationship.

As I closed my Bible this morning, I found myself praying a simple prayer:

"Lord, help me to do the will of my Father in heaven."

More than anything else, I desire that when I stand before Jesus one day, I will hear the words:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Those words have become the desire of my heart.

How Do We Truly Know Him?

As I continued thinking about these passages, another thought came to my mind.

Perhaps one of the greatest problems facing believers today is not rebellion against God.

It is a distraction.

We are busy being busy.

We fill our schedules with work, entertainment, social media, news, hobbies, and countless responsibilities.

Then we wonder why we do not feel close to God.

Relationships grow through time together.

The same is true in our relationship with Jesus.

If I want to know Him, I must spend time with Him.

I must spend time in His Word.

I must spend time in prayer.

I must spend time listening rather than always talking.

Just as physical food nourishes the body, God's Word nourishes the soul.

A believer who rarely feeds on Scripture will eventually become spiritually weak.

A believer who consistently feeds on God's Word will grow stronger in faith, wisdom, discernment, and spiritual maturity.

Perhaps a good place to begin is simple:

Read the Bible daily.

Pray daily.

Thank Him daily.

Listen daily.

Obey what He shows you.

Over time, we discover that Christianity is not merely about learning about Jesus.

It is learning to walk with Him.

And the more we walk with Him, the more we desire to do the will of our Father in heaven.

When God Says, "I Will"

As I read my Bible, I often find myself circling two simple words:

"I will."

At first, I didn't really understand why these words seemed to jump off the page. But over time, I began to realize that whenever God says, "I will," He is making a promise based on His own character, His own power, and His own faithfulness.

When people say, "I will," they may have the best intentions in the world, yet circumstances can prevent them from keeping their promises. We have all experienced broken promises, disappointments, and unmet expectations.

But God is different.

When God says, "I will," He is declaring what He Himself intends to do. His promises do not depend upon changing circumstances. They do not depend upon the economy, governments, world events, or even our own weaknesses. They depend upon Him alone.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly says:

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."

"I will strengthen you."

"I will help you."

"I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

"I will come again and receive you to Myself."

Every one of these promises reveals the heart of a loving Father who desires His children to trust Him.

Many Christians spend much of their lives asking, "What should I do?" While that is certainly important, there is another question we should ask:

"What has God said He will do?"

Faith grows when we stop focusing entirely on our own abilities and begin focusing on God's promises.

When fear comes, God says, "I will be with you."

When we feel weak, God says, "I will strengthen you."

When we are uncertain about the future, God says, "I will guide you."

When we wonder if He has forgotten us, God says, "I will never leave you."

The Christian life is not built upon what we promise God. It is built upon what God has promised us.

Perhaps that is why those two words have become so important to me. Every time I see "I will" in Scripture, I am reminded that God is still on the throne, still in control, and still faithful to every promise He has ever made.

One of my favorite promises is found in John 14:3:

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

For those who belong to Jesus, that promise changes everything.

The same God who said "I will" thousands of years ago is still saying "I will" today.

And what God says He will do, He will surely accomplish.