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7 Marks of a Good Steward

Larry Burkett once observed, “The one principle that surrounds everything else is that of stewardship—that we are the managers of everything God has given us.” That’s a profound truth: God owns everything, and we’ve been entrusted to manage His resources for His purposes. But what does faithful stewardship actually look like? Today, I want to highlight seven marks of a good steward. When Christians hear the word “stewardship,” we often think first of money—or maybe tithing. While generous financial giving is certainly part of stewardship, Scripture shows that it encompasses much more. God has entrusted us with the gospel, with gifts and abilities, with relationships and time, and ultimately with the love He demonstrated through Christ. Stewardship, then, isn’t merely financial; it’s holistic and deeply spiritual. First, good stewards acknowledge God’s ownership. Everything belongs to Him, and we hold resources only temporarily to serve His purposes. Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us that even the ability to earn wealth is a gift from God, and 1 Peter 4:10 calls us to use whatever we’ve received “to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” Second, good stewards understand the mission. God has given each of us a role in His redemptive plan. We’re called to take that calling seriously, but with humility. Proverbs 16:3 encourages, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Third, good stewards are faithful. They follow God’s financial principles—earning, saving, investing, spending wisely, and especially giving generously. Jesus teaches in Luke 16:10–11 that faithfulness with little prepares us for faithfulness with much, and that how we handle worldly wealth is spiritually significant. Fourth, good stewards are trustworthy. They act with honesty and integrity. Proverbs 12:22 tells us, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight.” Paul likewise teaches that “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). Fifth, good stewards are diligent. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), Jesus rebukes passive stewardship. Diligence honors God and reflects Colossians 3:23–24, which calls us to work “heartily, as for the Lord.” Sixth, good stewards pray for wisdom. James 1:5 assures us that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask. Prayer not only guides decisions—it guards our hearts from anxiety (Philippians 4:6). Seventh, good stewards act when led by the Spirit. Peter urges believers to prepare for action and set their hope fully on Christ (1 Peter 1:13). These marks set a high bar, and we won’t fulfill them perfectly. But stewardship isn’t about striving—it’s about faithfulness through dependence on God. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to manage the King’s resources for the King’s glory. On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: • I’ve been retired for about a year. I receive Social Security and a pension, and I’d like to update my tax withholding for next year. Do I have to pay taxes on my Social Security and pension income? • I’m trying to decide whether to use a debt management program for my four credit cards—I owe about $6,500—or just keep making payments on my own. Which option is better for my long-term financial future? • I’m a retired federal agent, and I recently inherited a house that I plan to sell for around $160,000. My wife and I want to use the money to pay off credit cards and a home equity line of credit rather than our mortgage. The equity line is coming due soon. Is that a wise plan? • I’ve been hearing about no-penalty CDs. Can you explain how they compare to high-yield savings accounts for storing money?Resources Mentioned: • Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) (https://faithfi.com/give) • NerdWallet (https://www.nerdwallet.com/) | Bankrate (https://www.bankrate.com/) • Sound Mind Investing (https://soundmindinvesting.com/) • Christian Credit Counselors (https://christiancreditcounselors.org...) • Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (https://www.faithfi.com/shop/wisdomov...) • Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety (https://www.faithfi.com/sparrows) • Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool (https://www.faithfi.com/rtg) • Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) (https://www.faithfi.com/find-a-cka) • FaithFi App (https://www.faithfi.com/manage) Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network (https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/f...) and Ame...