Every human is given four basic resources: time, talent, treasure, and technology (T4). To varying degrees, a person is sovereignly given a portion of each. Time between a person’s birth and death is allotted by the Lord. Talent as expressed, for example, in basic aptitudes, is sovereignly defined. Treasure—the ability to acquire material wealth—is a divine gift. And technology is apportioned based on the historical context and the purpose of God for a person’s life. Whatever combination of T4 that each person is given, the above verse directs us to faithfully steward our T4 before God.
For example, consider the treasure (financial) component. We would be wise to use financial tools to steward resources. Below are three basic financial tools to facilitate stewardship aligned with the will and ways of God.
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Net Worth Statement: This tool provides a picture of the total assets and liabilities at a point in time. Net worth is the difference between the total assets and total liabilities. Obedience to God leads to an increasing net worth just as disobedience to God leads to declining net worth.1 Using this tool over time, we can observe a trend—either increasing or decreasing net worth. As a maxim, increasing net worth is a mark of faithful stewardship and decreasing net worth is a mark of the opposite.
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Long-Term Planning Template: In a fallen world, human bodies decay (degenerate) over time due to the ravages of sin. The world accommodates this reality with the idea of retirement. Biblically, we never retire from the role of ruling agents. If there is breath in our bodies, there is reason for our being. So, from a Christian worldview, we never retire but we must recognize the reality of decaying bodies. As we age, our ability to earn work and earn income declines but our expenses may not decline. They may even increase. To avoid being a burden on others, we should accumulate resources for end-of-life care. The purpose of this template is to help plan for end-of-life needs as well as our inheritance to be passed on.
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Budget Template: A daily challenge for each person is to live congruent with God’s provision. The temptation to live beyond our means is great. This template is a tool to help allocate income according to the five uses of money.2
Financial stewardship is a marker of the heart’s condition.3 A wise steward reveals a good heart by faithfully using tools, such as above, to plan financially.
The mandate to financial stewardship is not limited to individuals. Organizations must also function as wise stewards.
Here is your business tip. Wise organizational leaders know that alignment with God is the predicate for the blessing and favor of God. Financial stewardship is a tool of alignment that reveals the heart. A good heart is a predicate for delivering excellent products and services. Leaders should use financial stewardship tools, such as, the net worth statement, long-term planning template, and budget template to help organizations align with the will and ways of God.
