This article was originally published by Christian Financial Advisors Network
Written By Kaysian “Kaysi” Gordon, CFP®, CKA®, CPA, MBA
Our Christian Financial Advisors group (members of CFAN) recently met for our quarterly meeting. We typically start with prayer and devotion, and one of the members shared a devotion anchored in Matthew 25:14-30, more commonly known as “The Story of the Talents”.
As we listened to each other, we we had a few conversation points, and one of them was “What does it mean to you (as an individual) to be a good steward?” We each come from different backgrounds and perspectives, so it was interesting to hear the various viewpoints.
As I continued to think of what I wanted to share, the topic of Stewardship and the times we are living in, came to the forefront of what seems fitting to discuss.
There continues to be a lot of news about the economy, the stock market, and news in general.
How do we, as Christians, navigate being good stewards as we are constantly being bombarded with news?
Here are a few things that I think may be helpful:
Limit News
Turn the news and notifications to your phone off. I’m not telling you to ignore the news, I am suggesting that you manage how you receive information.
Instead of having constant notifications, receive your news in a way that will be meaningful for you to keep abreast, but not become overwhelmed by the volume of it. I receive email notifications, and I read them on my terms, not because a new notification interrupted what I was doing.
Focus On What You Can Control
Take a step back and consider what is in your control. One of the things I encourage my clients to consider is: what is in your control? There are many things that are out of our control, but, thankfully, there are some things we may be able to control.
Here are some things that may be within your control:
- Where is your income coming from and how much is it?
- How much are you spending, and on what?
- Are you saving where you can?
- Are you investing (if possible), and are your investments in alignment with your risk tolerance and your goals?
- Are you reminding yourself that we are stewards of what God has blessed us with and asking Him to give us wisdom on how to manage the gifts and blessings He has provided?
Search God’s Heart
Are you searching the scriptures for what God would have you do? This is important not just in uncertain times, but when times feel calmer, too. I have a few passages that I would love to share with you.
- James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”
- Deuteronomy 10:14 “To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it”
- 1 Peter 4:10-11 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God, If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
- Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”
We have lived through many different time periods and some things change and some do not. But, one thing stands out to me as I consider how to be a good steward, both financially and overall: Malachi:3:6a “I the Lord do not change.”
No matter how you are feeling, one thing we can be certain of is that God does not change. He sees the beginning from the end. I encourage you to go back and review the three points above: take a few deep breaths and turn the notifications off and, if possible, go for a walk in nature. Take a step back and consider what things are within your control. Anchor your thoughts and actions to what the word of God says, and our hope will never be put to shame.
After reading this, what are some ways that you will navigate being a good steward? We would love to hear your thoughts.