Rewards

We now know the results of stewardship, both good and bad.
We know specifically that good stewardship leads to ‘an increase’.
We know specifically that bad stewardship gets us put ‘into outer darkness’.

How often do we experience the stress, depression, anger, and anxiety over debt and making ends meet? How often is our ‘joy’ of fellowship with God ‘interrupted’ by our worry over finances? We know that over 70% of divorces claim to be over money issues. We don’t know how much of that percentage is specifically over debt, but an educated guess would say a significant amount.

So how does one become a ‘good’ steward of money? First, recognize, as Matthew 25:15 states, that each is given 'according to his own ability'. God has given each of us an income equal to our abilities.
Psalm 75:6, 7 says, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.” Some translations use the word ‘promotion’ instead of exaltation. In other words, God gave you the job, and determines your pay raises.

We are concentrating on stewardship. Specifically, what does it take to be a good steward of the money and possessions God has entrusted to us?

The Principles of Biblical Stewardship of Money are:
1. Giving: We have discussed this in detail. A quick review, see Proverbs 3:9-10, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 28:27, Malachi 3:10-11and Luke 6:38.

2. Accountability (budgeting): Proverbs 27:23 says, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;” Matthew 25:19, “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” Luke 16:2, “So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’”

3. Work: Genesis 2:15, “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Exodus 20:9, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,” Proverbs 10:4, “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.” 2 Thessalonians 3:12, “Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” There is an abundance of references commanding us to work.

4. Savings: Proverbs 6:6-8, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” Proverbs 21:20, “There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.”

5. Indebtedness: Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Proverbs 22:7, “...And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” 1 Corinthians 7:23, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”
DEBT is what this is all about.

The principles of financial ‘good stewardship’ are giving, accountability, work, savings, and NO DEBT.

These are the principles, what are the practices? What is the How-to of good stewardship?