A Good and Faithful Steward

One of the largest selections in any bookstore is found in the personal finance section. There are hundreds if not thousands of books covering investing, entrepreneurship, owning real estate, budgeting, and retirement. Some are books written by successful self-made millionaires, while some detail the findings of those who have researched all the markets and know all the secrets. Depending on the bookstore selection, you may also find several books written for Christian personal finance. In some ways, they are exactly the same as the other books, with a section on tithing included near the front of the text. The Bible actually has very little in common with these modern financial guides. Although the Bible speaks often of money, the very foundational concepts are fundamentally different. When we try to impose modern day money and budgeting thought onto the Bible, we often end up frustrated, defeated, and in debt. A Good and Faithful Steward takes a completely different approach. Instead of focusing on money, this study demonstrates the importance of stewardship in every aspect of our lives. Starting with Adam and Eve we see that stewardship of God's creation was instituted on the sixth day of creation. As soon as man was created, he was given responsibility to rule over all the earth. The significance of stewardship, faithfully managing God's resources based on God's priorities, continues to be found in both the Old and New Testament. By studying the challenges, victories, and mistakes of Job, Joseph, David, Solomon, Esther, Paul, and the early church, we can develop an accurate understanding of stewardship that will impact every aspect of our lives.