Stewardship

One of the most neglected purposes of the church and Christian life is the area of stewardship. The word “steward” means “manager.” And Jesus had so much to say about how we manage what the Lord has entrusted to us. Noted stewardship guru Randy Alcorn says that the Bible has more to say about stewardship than about prayer, or faith, or heaven and hell combined.

Pastors and churches often think of money when the topic of stewardship comes up. That’s part of stewardship, but it’s better to think of stewardship as part of the journey of discipleship. As we grow as followers of Jesus, we should also grow as stewards. That affects both what we give and how we live in light of God’s kingdom.

But stewardship also includes resources—buildings, property, and anything God has entrusted us to have for a season. Maybe your building sits empty most of the week. Faithful stewardship looks for ways to utilize them more, whether it’s in offering more ministries, starting a Christian school, or helping a church plant meet at a reduced rate.

Good stewardship also plans for the future. That may mean saints include their churches in their estate plan so that their giving continues to make an impact once they step into heaven. Or it may include a church that comes to the end of its life, leaving property to the association so that a future church can be planted there.

GOBA offers annual training in stewardship and regularly partners with Stewardship Simplified to help pastors and churches with budgets, compensation packages, estate planning, capital campaigns, and more. Let’s be wise stewards here and now so that we hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” in the hereafter.