7 Marks of a Good Steward
FaithFi: Faith & Finance | Oct 23, 2023
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Show Notes
Jesus entrusted us with the Gospel and gave us His immeasurable love by dying on the Cross. As stewards of those priceless gifts, we’re to share them with the world. So keep in mind that stewardship isn’t just about money.
So what are the marks or characteristics of good stewards?1. Acknowledgment of God's Ownership: Good stewards understand that everything is God's (Deuteronomy 8:18, "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth"). They hold resources temporarily and avoid hoarding or coveting.2. Recognition of God's Gifts: They see their skills and abilities as gifts from God. This understanding is rooted in verses like 1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.”3. Understanding and Commitment: They have clarity about the divine mission given to them and remain committed to it. This is reflected in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” They're also devoted to sharing the Gospel, as encouraged by 1 Thessalonians 2:4 and Romans 1:16.4. Trustworthiness: Integrity and honesty define good stewards, a trait highlighted in Proverbs 12:22 and reinforced in Titus 1:7, which lays out the characteristics expected of God's stewards.5. Diligence: Good stewards are industrious and avoid idle activities. This principle is underlined in 1 Corinthians 15:38 and Proverbs 13:4, which extol the virtues of diligence.6. Prayerful: They consistently turn to God for guidance and wisdom. James 1:5 guides them to seek wisdom from God, while Philippians 4:6 emphasizes the peace that comes from trusting God and presenting one's concerns to Him in prayer.7. Action-Oriented: Led by the Spirit, they are proactive in their responsibilities, as urged by 1 Peter 1:13.
Those are seven characteristics of a good steward. They set the bar pretty high and none of us can expect to exhibit them all the time, but we must always try.
On today’s program, Rob also answers listener questions:
- How do capital gains work if we sell our house with farmland to buy a condo and have leftover money?
- Should I withdraw $25,000 from my 401k and invest $20,000 in the credit union at 4.25% for two years, considering the tax penalty and recovery time?
- How should I manage my 401k of $102,000 when my job ends in March 2024, given my outstanding loan, and is a Roth IRA a good option?
- What's your opinion on gold IRAs and how much of my total investable assets should be in them?
RESOURCES MENTIONED:Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network as well as American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.comwhere you can join the FaithFi Community, and give as we expand our outreach.
