Stewarding Money Well – 9 Biblical Principles for Your Finances

9 Eternal Principles of Stewarding Money Well

1. Are we all to give away all we have?

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:32

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32

Our basic attitude should be: I give all to you! That is my heart. You gave all I have to me. All I have is yours. All you have is mine. God trusts us. We trust Him. You know what is best for me. You are love and have better plans for me than I do. He might ask you to give away everything you have! He has asked me that once – and I was willing.

I gave everything.

2. We are responsible before God for our stewardship

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Matthew 25:23

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Romans 14:12

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:19-20

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Colossians 3:22-25

One day God will ask us to report to Him what we have done with what He has given to us. Wherever you are today – start today to make everything better – as far as it is up to you. Get inner healing, deliverance, filling of the Spirit, repent from accusing God, forgive all, act obediently toward all the commands of Jesus – follow the plan of God for you.

3. Make a budget

The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

Proverbs 21:20

Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Proverbs 13:11

Make a budget. Have an account in your bank for regular payments where you transfer a set amount every month, have one for savings for vacations, larger purchases etc., and one for investments, and one for day-to-day expenses.

4. Pay off debt ASAP

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7

Pay off all debt as soon as you can. Debt is costly and bad. It puts you in bondage. It is not freedom. Go for paying off car, house – and have absolutely no credit card or quick loan debt. That is way too expensive and not a healthy or wise way to live.

5. Pray for inspiration from God to create wealth

God gives you the ability to produce wealth.

Deuteronomy 8:18

As God leads – step out into ways of living, working, and serving, where you can increase your ability to generate income – so you can give more.

6. Tithing and giving into the Kingdom of God

First item on the budget is to bring 10% of your salary before taxes to your local home fellowship where you get your spiritual food. Then plan to be able to give more and more away to the poor, to ministries. Give to those who cannot give you back. Give so nobody but your Father in Heaven sees you giving.

A. Is it New Testament and New Covenant to bring our tithe? And gifts on top of that?

Yes. Jesus said to do it.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Matthew 23:23

Who do we bring it to: Jesus.

Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Hebrews 7:1-4

B. Practically, where do we bring it?

To where we get our spiritual food – and where we have our fellowship.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Malachi 3:10

C. What if I cannot afford it? It is expensive.

If you cannot afford to tithe, save up, and invest – dial down other expenses. Housing + car + regular expenses down to a better and more realistic level. Tithing is a way to set God first in your finances – also before taxes – just like He must be first in all areas of life. And know that in the long run of life – the blessings of bringing the tithe and gifts on top of that are real.

We should not bring the tithe or give out of debt – what we do not have (2 Corinthians 8:12-13). But from what we do have. Should we also tithe if we have debt? Yes. We should tithe first – and also pay off debt – and also save up money.

There is so much blessing in giving – especially when you do it in secret.

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

Proverbs 22:9

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:3-4

Here is my general teaching on giving to a local fellowship and to a ministry like Action Christianity: Action Christianity’s Beliefs on Partnering Financially, Giving, and Handling Money Openly and Responsibly Before God.

7. Be careful with get-rich-quick schemes

Be careful with get-rich-quick schemes – also among sometimes gullible Christians. No – work hard at all things – as if you were working directly for Jesus – at all times.

If it seems too good to be true – it probably is. Also, be careful that you and Christians are sharp and do not make gullible naïve business plans with no contracts, no accountability, no hard work, no skill, no realistic timeframes, no real base in reality.

A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 28:20

To do: Work hard for Jesus – as if your boss was Jesus.

Slaves (employees), obey your earthly masters (employers) with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters (employers), treat your slaves (employees) in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.

Ephesians 6:5-9

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 10:4

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 14:23

8. If you are very wealthy, be ready to hear God calling you to give much

We all are very wealthy in the West – compared to most other people.

We can have no attachment to this world. We come in naked and we leave naked. The only thing we bring with us to Heaven is the difference we have made in love by faith and action for eternity while living here. Have you brought people closer to Jesus?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:32-34

Invest your whole heart – whatever you have – including all “treasure” – into the bank of Heaven. All things on earth will burn up.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

9. Think in terms of possibilities, opportunities, and action

Think in terms of possibilities, opportunities, and action – which is faith – proactive and joyful!

How do you optimize what you do – so it is effective? I have made this a basic life principle. Get better. Investigate. Find answers. Seek and you will find.

Is it Biblical? Is it not just up to God what He wants to do – for instance who He wants to save?

No.

• He who is wise wins souls (Proverbs 11:30). So an unwise person does not win souls.
• To win as many as possible (1 Corinthians 9:19) – we need to become “slaves of all” – meaning – in the context of the scripture: We need to serve the culture, understand it, and be like it – yet without compromise to the law of the love of God (1 Corinthians 9:21) – to be effective and win as many as possible.

In the same way: Work hard – and play hard. Work intelligently. Apply yourself to grow and get better. This will ensure you do well with your finances.

Also – as a leader in the house of God – which we should all aspire to be – simply due to the growth Jesus gives us. Seek to be able to spend more and more time helping new believers get stronger – by spending quality time with them – and doing Matthew 10 and Luke 10 and from home to home multiplication ministry with them.

See more about the optimized lifestyle of a normal, original-style disciple of Jesus with a normal job here:

• The Normal Christian Life – Personal Commitment Covenant
• My life choices, tools, and time focus while working full time

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11-13