Being A Good Steward

 Nothing turns people against each other faster than mishandled money. I have seen it affect churches, families, and friends. People who you thought would go through anything with someone else abruptly end the relationship because of this one thing!

Luke 12:42- And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

A faithful and wise steward is someone who handles accounts well. They are in charge of paying bills, grocery shopping, feeding the family, scheduling, and all the other little things that are required to make the household or business operate smoothly.

Titus 1:7- For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Many churches are hung up on "the pastor of one wife" (I Timothy 3) meaning that a person can't be a pastor if they've been divorced. However, they look over the other listed qualifications as though they aren't really that important. If a person isn't apt to teach, they shouldn't be holding the office of a pastor. If they can't control the children living in their house, then they shouldn't be in charge of a congregation. And if they are given to filthy lucre (greedy for material goods) they should step down from a position of authority.

Does this mean that only a pastor should have to be a good steward? Not at all! All of God's disciples should be a good steward with what He has put under their hand. This could be a church, or a household, or a business, or a ministry, etc.

I Corinthians 4:1- Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

We will all stand before God and give an account of how we used the things He gave us while we were on this earth. If we want to be considered a wise steward then we will learn how to manage what He has provided.

The word "manage" is the key. You'll almost never find an accountant without a bookkeeping software. They use these spreadsheets and programs to keep track of incoming monies and outgoing debts. And, we can learn a lot from how they utilize these programs.

The first step in management is to have everything in order. If you are building a house then you need a checklist of steps that you can tick off when you've accomplished them. You're not going to get a house built without a permit. You won't get a permit without proper paperwork being submitted to the correct oversight committee. And, before you can submit the proper paperwork you need surveys and plans. Everything done in the proper order.

I Corinthians 14:40- Let all things be done decently and in order.

So, how do we begin? By writing it down. You can purchase a planner or even a notebook for this- I personally like Homemaker's Friend.

If you are scheduling things, make sure you have a calendar where you can write the appointment, address, and time while also making note of who the appointment is for, who needs to be there, and any special paperwork or documents that you may need to bring.

 

This is by far the easiest way to keep things scheduled and on-track without over planning or double booking. What types of things would you need a planner for? Well, vacations, home improvement work, play dates, doctor appointments, and anything where you need to make certain you are where you need to be on time.

If you are the one who makes the meals and does the shopping, then you should take the time to create a menu (I have about 5 weeks of menus that I've created where I can choose meals from so we get a good variety). After you have your menu, then you create your shopping list.

Go through your recipes and cabinets and write down anything that you need to buy that you don't have on hand. Don't forget breakfast and lunch items! If you are on a strict budget, then you're going to want to enter all the items in the cart on the Walmart shopping app to get an idea of how much your groceries will cost you. You can then adjust your menu or go for some store-brand items to save money. Only buy what is on your list!

If you are in charge of finances, then you will have a few more steps. 

The first step is to list out all of your debts with the approximate monthly amounts in the order that they are due. Then, you will decide which paycheck those bills will get paid from.

Example:

Hubby's Check #1 ($1,300)

• Tithe
• Groceries
• Phones
• Internet
• Electric

Wife's Check #1 ($500)

• Credit Cards
• Tithe

Hubby's Check #2 ($1,300)

• Mortgage
• Groceries

Wife's Check #2 ($500)

• Utilities
• Insurance

Now that I know where each bill will get paid from, and how to pay so that they aren't late, I have my basic budget format. Now, all I do is write down when the checks come in, how much they are, and what was paid.

You can create your own or just use a notebook. Write down when it was paid, how much was paid, and your confirmation number or the check number you used to pay it.

The picture above is my personal monthly budget template. I write how much our checks are in the "Income" portion at the top, how much our bills are and how and when I paid them in the "Bills" portion in the middle, and then any extra that goes to savings or other accounts in the lower "Savings" portion. I've also put a notes section at the very bottom where I can write down things like "had the septic tank emptied on this date for this amount" or any other things that aren't general monthly items.

It will take about 3 months of doing this consistently to actually get in the groove of it, but once you do it takes literally about 30 minutes each week to finalize and tweak my budget as needed. Any additional income that's over what I've allocated either goes to savings or to the unusual expenses that happen (like emptying the septic tank).

You do not have to be a genius to be a good steward, you just need a little time and organizational skills. I love the Homemaker's Friend planner because it has so many options in one place- monthly layouts for keeping track of birthdays and anniversaries, a weekly layout for scheduling, a place for tasks, information, and projects and events, which can be used for your budget or your menu or anything else you need to have in writing, plus an area for shopping lists.

Do you have to have a planner? No! Like I said earlier, you can use a notebook- just don't lose it!

Also, you’re going to need to learn to save for emergency situations. Start with $1,000. Raise the price according to your needs. An easy way to start saving is with a game.

Your testimony is not only what you say or wear or even what church you attend it's what you do in life that others can see and what you still do even when others can't see, because God sees it all! 

Acts 24:16- And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Hebrews 3:5- And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

II Corinthians 1:12- For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

What is your testimony to those around you? How do your neighbors and other members of your church see you? How about your testimony when it comes to your banker and bill collectors? It does matter!