Todd Harper’s Observations of a Wise and Joyful Steward
- They believe ultimate authority in their lives is God’s Word and make decisions based upon it.
Psalms 119:45 “I will walk about in freedom for I have sought your precepts.” - They have a stewardship mentality rather than an ownership mentality, easy to say, harder to truly live this way. In other words, they believe God owns it all.
Psalms 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.” - They approach giving as a “get to” rather than an “ought to”. Delight is far more powerful than duty!
Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - They have one or more people with whom they share transparently their financial dealings and receive encouragement to continue to live as stewards. (Accountability)
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” - They have answered the question how much is enough for personal consumption…with the understanding that stuff has mass which creates gravity and demands attention…the more stuff the more attention. “Be careful what you own because it can own you.”
Mark 4:19 “but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” - They have learned how to engage their spouse in a meaningful way…leading each other without leaving the other behind.
Genesis 2:18 “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” - They realize that earthly success could equal spiritual failure and have built guardrails to protect themselves.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” - They think generationally and invest time, talent and treasure in cultivating stewardship in the next generation(s). (GG can be a useful resource by facilitating Family JOGs.)
2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” - They recognize that stewardship involves their whole LIFE – Labor, Influence, Finances and Expertise
1 Timothy 6:18 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share.” - They live with eternity in view – live for the line not the dot!
Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…”