Chapter 4: Developing Your Stewardship Plan

• Put the management mandate into practice 
• Learn from the examples of famous stewards in the Bible 
• Use the 8 Kingdom Principles to bring glory to God

Key Scripture: "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders’ " (Gen. 41:39-40).  

Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines management as "the conducting or supervising of something (as a business,'); judicious use of means to accomplish an end; executive skill." A manager then is someone who administers the affairs of another. He or she agrees to act as the master’s legal representative, thereby placing the master’s concerns above any personal interests. A manager’s outstanding attribute should be faithfulness.  

The first management positions were held jointly by Adam and his wife Eve. God placed them in charge of his newly created world, which he had pronounced "Good!" Now he set Adam and Eve, made in his own image, in the middle of Eden. One sweep of God’s hand demonstrated the extent of their responsibilities—a beautiful planet covered by earth and sea with a huge canopy of sky overhead. God gave them an earth teeming with plant and animal life. He said, "Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature. . . . I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it" (Gen. 1:28-29).  

Several examples of this management principle at work are recorded in the Bible:  

Joseph. Even as a slave, Joseph proved his managerial skills in the household of Potiphar. "So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate" (Gen. 39:6). Joseph proved his trustworthiness to his master, in spite of adverse circumstances. Once a slave and a prisoner, Joseph was literally lifted from the pit to the pinnacle. As a result of God’s divine placement, Joseph was put in charge of a whole nation. He was the equivalent of the modern Secretaries of State, Agriculture, Interior, Commerce, and Health and Human Services all rolled into one. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you" (Gen. 41:40).  

Daniel. Exiled to Babylon as a young man, Daniel became known for his wisdom and understanding. As a result, he prospered under four different kings. Darius the Mede made Daniel one of three administrators over one hundred twenty satraps who ruled over the kingdom. "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom" (Dan. 6:3). But as a result of treachery in high places, Daniel was thrown to the lions where he was miraculously saved by God.  

Nehemiah. The task that Nehemiah faced as a leader was overwhelming. The wall around Jerusalem had been broken down for over a century, and the city was in a desperate situation. Nehemiah recognized that the people needed to be mobilized to rebuild the wall. Because of his intense desire to help the people, Nehemiah faced much opposition. Using his excellent leadership qualities and his ability to manage people, Nehemiah oversaw the rebuilding of the wall in a record fifty-two days. However, he refused the "perks" normally accorded to the governor—food, tax money, and land. "Out of reverence for God, I did not act like that. Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall" (Neh. 5:15-16).  

In the parable of the talents, Jesus provides an excellent example of good management (Matt. 25:14-30). Two of the servants managed their master’s assets well and made a profit for him. But the third servant brought back the original amount intact. Although he had not been dishonest, the servant had failed in management. The slothful servant was more concerned with self-preservation than with his master’s interests. His faithlessness brought him deprivation and punishment rather than the reward he had anticipated. The faithful servants, however, were rewarded with greater responsibilities in management (v. 23).  

Christians today—like the examples in the Old and New Testaments— have the same responsibility to be good managers. And sound biblical principles concerning money management are just as applicable now as they were in the past.

Life Application: What different kinds of management roles do you assume in your life? The home? The church? In business? Who is your favorite manager in the Bible, and why? What are the personal implications for your life of the biblical mandate to manage?

Key Scripture: "And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ" (Eph. 1:9).

For centuries man has searched for the secret to financial prosperity. Even today the quest continues with help from a myriad of financial wizards plotting your pathway to easy street. Of course their methods often backfire, and the formula remains as elusive as the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Yet, the laws governing prosperity have been revealed. God has created a spiritual kingdom that surrounds and influences our physical world. This kingdom operates by laws in the same way that the physical world operates by laws. It is God’s invisible world controlling our visible world.

Pat Robertson, the President of The Christian Broadcasting Network, outlined these laws in a book called The Secret Kingdom (Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, 1982). In it he showed how these God-ordained precepts not only have a discernible and demonstrable effect on our finite world but also undergird and influence all areas of our existence. These principles can affect the environmental, the interpersonal, the governmental, and, most definitely, the financial world we face each day.

The following is from a booklet prepared by CBN Christian Financial Planning, a ministry of The Christian Broadcasting Network, on applying these principles, or Kingdom Laws, to your finances.

1. The Law of Reciprocity (Cause and Effect). "Give, and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:38).

The above scripture contains a few simple words, yet they have been repeated in many different ways: as the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"; as a Newtonian law, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction"; or as simple, down-home wisdom, "Smile and the world smiles with you."

But no matter how the principle is stated, it still has the same dynamic effect: what you do and say will be reciprocated by the world around you. And not sparingly either. Scripture says, it will be given to you in "good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over" (v. 38).

Creating Wealth: This principle greatly affects your ability to create wealth. If you go the extra mile in your job, you will be rewarded by your employer. If you provide excellent service to your clientele, they will reward you with a great demand for your service. They will even tell their friends, causing your good effort to come back multiplied. The more you give, the more will be returned.

This principle also applies to your tithes and offerings. God does not need them, yet he takes the matter very seriously (see Mal. 3:7-10). He promises that if you bring "the whole tithe into the storehouse," he will "open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it" (v. 10). God anticipates and welcomes your giving to him that he might, in turn, fill your barns with plenty and overflow your vats with new wine (see Prov. 3:9-10).

It sounds foolish, but the wisest financial move you can make when you are in financial trouble is to give money away. Give tithes and offerings to the Lord. Give time. Give work. Give love. Your return will be pressed down and running over.

2. The Law of Use (Building Money or Muscles). "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things" (Matt. 25:21).

In Jesus’' parable of the talents, the faithful slave exercised the Law of Use. He took his five talents and gained five more. He doubled his original investment and thus was given more.

This principle works in all aspects of life: from economics to education, from money to muscles. If you take the resources you have and use them, causing them to grow, then take the increase and "reinvest" it, over a period of time you will realize phenomenal, exponential growth.

The Eighth Wonder of the World: This law is at the root of a fundamental investment principle: compounding interest. If you take a sum of money and let it grow at compounding interest, over a period of time you will see it multiply exponentially. For example, if your employer gave you the opportunity to make ten thousand dollars per month or one penny with the promise of doubling it every day, you’d better take the penny. At the end of thirty days you would have over five million dollars!

An IRA is another good example. If you contributed a mere $2,000 per year (just under $40 per week), after twenty years, earning a 10 percent compounded rate, you would have $126,005; after thirty years it would be $361,887. Is it any wonder that Baron Rothschild, the financier, called compounding interest "the eighth wonder of the world?"

Get on the wrong side of this exponential curve, however, and the result can be devastating. Through compounding interest loans and credit-card interest, you soon find debt accumulating at an exponential rate. This has a disastrous effect as the sum total of debt snowballs to a staggering amount.

3. The Law of Perseverance (Opportunity Follows Importunity). "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7).

The actual Greek meaning of the above scripture is translated, "Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking." God has created the kingdom in such a way that success follows perseverance. Consistent, determined concentration and activity are keys to bringing about the desired outcome.

Jesus demonstrated this when he told of a man who pleaded with his neighbor to lend him bread for some unexpected visitors. The neighbor would not respond because the man was a friend, but "because of the man’'s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs" (Luke 11:8).

Edison’s Insight: It is more than Thomas Edison’s light bulb that sheds light on the world. His formula for success— - "two percent inspiration and ninety-eight percent perspiration" - —gives great insight into the Law of Perseverance.

Generating income requires this kind of perseverance. Whether it is seeking a job or advancing in a career, securing a client or maintaining a clientele, persistence is a fundamental key to success.

This law also goes hand-in-hand with the Law of Use. To achieve the compounding effect of exponential growth you must persevere in two areas: (1) add money to your savings and investment plan on a consistent basis; (2) avoid the temptation to spend the money before the real fruits of exponential growth are realized.

4. The Law of Responsibility (Noblesse Oblige). "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded" (Luke 12:48).

With every success comes a higher degree of responsibility. Those who are given understanding, ability, goods, money, authority, or fame have a responsibility that the less favored do not bear. As the favor increases, the responsibility increases.

With each rise in position there is also an expectation to help those less fortunate. A French duke, Gaston Pierre Marc, coined the phrase "noblesse oblige," or "nobility obligates." Those who have been blessed with position or stature are obligated to use their position to help their subordinates, their community, the poor and impoverished.

Responsibility Leads to Blessing: This law has three direct financial applications. First, you must fulfill your responsibility at your current occupational level if you would rise to a higher one. Go beyond the expectations of a laborer, and you will be promoted to foreman. Manage your outlet store in such a way that it prospers, and you will be promoted to district manager. As an owner, fulfill your responsibility to your clientele by going the extra mile, and your business will increase.

Second, act responsibly with the capital you now have. Do not wait until you win the million-dollar sweepstakes before you pay careful attention to the spending, saving, and investing of your capital. God blesses "the day of small beginnings."

Third, as you assume these greater levels of responsibility, remember those less fortunate. The Bible warns against oppressing your workers (see Isa. 58:3). The Word also says to "spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed." Then the Lord "will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isa. 58:10-11).

5. The Law of Greatness (Upside Down). "The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves" (Luke 22:26).

Jesus turned the world’s thinking upside down. The world tells you that in order to get ahead you must overcome. You must dominate and be better than the next guy. Jesus said, "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:4).

The Law of Greatness is simple: If you want to become great, be like a child and become a servant. This law asks you to embrace the three qualities that, under normal circumstances, predominate in little children: trust, teachability, and humility.

The Model T: In the hard-nosed give-and-take of free enterprise, it is difficult to imagine that this principle would work. Yet it usually sits at the heart of all successful business ventures.

Henry Ford is a good example. He wanted to make inexpensive, efficient transportation available to as many people as possible. By manufacturing the Model T, he soon was serving thousands with low-cost transportation. The more he served, the greater his business became.

In your business, whatever it is and whatever your position, begin serving your clients, your workers, or your employees. You will soon see God bless you. You will advance in your chosen field. You will begin to assume true greatness.

6. The Law of Unity (The United State). "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them" (Gen. 11:6). Harmony is central to the unleashing of God’s incredible power. The Bible says that "if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven" (Matt. 18:19). Great power begins to flow as you move in unity with your family, your fellow employees, and your boss.

This principle is remarkably illustrated in the story of the Tower of Babel (see Gen. 11:1-9). After the Flood, the people became unified around one goal: to build a great tower "that reaches to the heavens" (v. 4). Although their purpose violated one of God’s laws— "so that we may make a name for ourselves" (v. 4), their method embraced another law— "as one people" (v. 6). God knew the power of this unified force and confused their language to disrupt it.

One for the Money: James says that a double-minded man "should not think he will receive anything from the Lord" (1:7). To have a productive savings and investment program, you must first come to a unified concept about your financial goals and plans. You must say, "I propose to save X amount of money" or "I will not spend this investment money prematurely." By doing this you have established a rallying point. You can move forward with singleness of purpose.

This principle is crucial in family goal-setting. Agree with your spouse on your budgeting, savings, and investment plans. You might even involve your children, explaining that these measures must be taken to save for educational expenses, housing, or even vacations. Remembering Jesus’ admonition that every "household divided against itself will not stand" (Matt. 12:25), consider the prosperity that awaits the household that is unified in its financial affairs.

7. The Law of Miracles (Miracles Can Happen). "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).

When God disrupts his natural order to accomplish his purpose, a miracle springs forth. He overrides the way in which things normally operate. However, even then he works within principles, and they frame the Law of Miracles.

As we unlock this aspect of the Secret Kingdom, we find that our response greatly affects the manifestation of miracle power in our life. First, just as Caleb and Joshua did not fear the giants in the Promised Land, we must take our eyes off the circumstances and the impossibilities and look upon God and the possibilities. Second, we are not to doubt in our hearts. Our hearts must be filled with supernatural, God-inspired confidence. Third, we must speak. After gaining insight into God’s purpose through prayer, we must then activate that purpose by speaking it forth. Fourth, we must forgive. Unforgiveness clouds our ability to understand God’s purpose, and we will not see his miracle power in our lives.

Expecting the Unexpected: Sound financial planning is a discipline. Despite our best-laid plans, however, we often find ourselves in positions that take nothing less than miracles to overcome. You might be in debt over your head and need a miracle to get you back on the right path. You may be in a business deal and require the supernatural power of God to redirect a pending disaster. You may have a cash flow problem and need an unexpected influx of sales or payment of overdue accounts. God can change your situation drastically as you believe, speak, and forgive.

This law does not replace the other Secret Kingdom Laws. On the contrary, this principle can multiply the results of your financial endeavors as you propose to carry out the other laws.

8. The Law of Dominion (Reclaiming Your Reign). "Then God said . . . ‘let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground’ " (Gen. 1:26).

God’'s desire for man is that he rule over the earth. Unfortunately, humanity fell and, because of sin, lost the ability to claim dominion over God’'s creation. As a result, the earth has now claimed authority over humanity. Our newspapers and televisions reveal anything but a people maintaining authority over their world.

However, God has made a provision for humanity to reclaim the earth through his Son. God gave Christ all authority (see Matt. 28:18), and Christ gave this power and authority to his servants (see  Luke 9:1-2; 10:19). By using this authority and power, Christians can again claim dominion over not only the plants and animals, but also over every aspect of life. God’s plan includes reclaiming our professions, our school systems, and our governments— - indeed, " all the earth."

Mastering Money: God’'s desire for his people is that they also rule over their finances. Unfortunately, in the world today people allow their finances to rule over them. The instant-gratification, credit-card generation has become enslaved to materialism and debt. And those who seek emancipation have found it difficult to be free of these financial shackles.

God wants you to reclaim your rightful dominion over money. Using the authority and power granted by Christ, you can rule over the things money can buy, rather than having them rule over you. You can claim dominion over debt rather than allow debt to master you. After being set free from these bonds, you can go one step further. By setting up a sound budget and a savings and investment plan, you can make money your slave. Money will work for you, rather than you working for it.

These eight Kingdom Laws have been given by God to undergird and influence all aspects of your existence. By practicing these principles, you can enjoy the blessings of financial health. Practice them, and trust God to meet your needs.

Key Scripture: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" (Eccl. 3:1).  

There is a right time for everything, including short-, middle-, and long-range financial and estate planning. Retirement planning should begin when a person is young, but seldom is. If you are in your mid-forties and still haven’t started, your financial plan is overdue. First, you should know your net worth. Then you must evaluate how fast your investments are growing as well as how much future income they are likely to produce. If your net worth is not growing fast enough, or no margin for safety against inflation exists, you must get them on target.  

People who make goals, whether monthly, yearly, or long-range, are unwilling to leave life to chance. Through setting and keeping goals, you can avoid piecemeal planning. You can coordinate and plan your savings and investments, tax status, will, trusts, life and health insurance, and your retirement. Paul, the great apostle, said, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14). Now that is a plan!  

Good planning and goal-setting require discipline and self-control. Even more important, however, is the inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:16). Do not throw yourself into attaining a goal and forget other important things such as relationships. Use common sense, but do allow goals to stretch you a bit. When setting your financial goals, remember that a goal should be clearly stated and understood. It should be practical, have a sensible time allotment, and should be measurable using figures, dates, and amounts.

Life Application:

The following goals are examples for you to consider.  Prayerfully consider the ones applicable to you.  Remember to be realistic when setting your goas.  Please see Worksheet 4-A.

      Key Scripture: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt. 6:33).

Christians have been given dominion over the earth in a stewardship capacity. God wants to bless his children, regardless of the world’'s financial and economic situation. But in his infinite wisdom and mercy, God sometimes withholds his blessings from those who refuse to walk in obedience to his Word.

Financial contentment is a biblical goal for Christians and is reached through personal responsibility and reliance on God’'s direction. "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things" (1 Chron. 29:12). Furthermore, the Lord "delights in the well-being of his servant" (Ps. 35:27). To be content financially is to be free from the bondage of financial stress while fulfilling your God-given responsibilities. Contentment lies in obedience, not abundance.

The following steps are important in moving from financial bondage to financial freedom:

Give tithes and offerings. God will not bless a person who withholds from him (Mal. 3:7-12).

Get out of debt and stay out. Use credit cards only if you can pay them off within the grace period without incurring an interest charge.

Develop a meaningful spending plan or budget. Discipline yourself to stay within your budget.

Set up a regular savings program. After giving your tithe, give to yourself. Since your earning capacity won’t last forever, you are called to be prudent with your current income.

Invest in low- to medium-risk growth vehicles. Choose from U.S. Treasury Bills, bonds, perhaps mutual funds or stocks—after your basic savings plan is functioning smoothly. Seek out competent, loyal, and trustworthy counsel before you invest.

Invest in adequate insurance in several areas. Automobile liability insurance is legally required for all vehicles, and collision insurance is recommended for newer ones. Then enroll in a good life insurance plan. Carefully examine both term and whole-life policies. If health insurance is not provided by your employer, obtain adequate health coverage. Depending on your occupation, disability insurance should also be considered.

Save to pay cash for your major purchases. Live within your means, and don’t buy until you can afford what you need.

Build up a reserve for emergencies. Try to save two to six months of income.

Prioritize your spending and investments. Pay bills first before embarking on an investment program.

Keep accurate records. These will help you control your finances as well as prove invaluable if the IRS decides to audit you.

Be charitably minded. Christians have a responsibility to help others (Matt. 10:42).

Keep your estate plan current. Stewardship does not end with death. Families must be provided for, and the cause of the gospel must be advanced.

The most important aspect of stewardship is to acknowledge that God owns it all, thereby placing him first in your priorities. Misplaced priorities may cause prosperity to be denied. It seems a severe mercy, but a wise man once said, "One of the most devastating punishments is for God to allow us to prosper—and not be able to see our own need."

Stewardship also involves being honest, punctual, and meticulous in handling money. In addition, financial management requires integrity and responsibility. Knowledge is not enough. You must put into practice what you have learned. Only then can you receive the commendation of our Lord: "Well done, good and faithful servant!... Come and share your master’s happiness!" (Matt. 25:23).

Life Application:

Do an independent study on "prosper." Click on the word prosper to go to a suggested resource.

What does the Bible say about prosperity? In what area of your life are you prosperous; in what areas are you poor? At his coming, will Jesus greet you: "Well done, good and faithful servant!" List several steps you are taking to become "rich" in the things of the Lord.

Audio Teaching A

Audio Teaching B