And to be a truly Effective Steward, you must believe Unequivocally that the Money being Managed is Someone Else’s Money – GOD’S!
Psalm 24:1, declares: “The earth and everything it contains are the Lord’s. The world and all who live in it are His” (GWT).
Every resource, even money, is His, and you are simply stewards of His resources!
Having this perspective gives a person the freedom to use finances as a tool to accomplish God’s purposes, recognizing that no one comes into this world with any possessions, and certainly no one will leave with anything either (Ecclesiastes 5:15, “They came from their mother’s womb naked. They will leave as naked as they came. They won’t even be able to take a handful of their earnings with them from all their hard work” GWT).
So be careful about trying to make yourself rich! Be careful about trying to increase your bank accounts for the sole purpose of saying “I have…” You cannot under any circumstances take one red cent with you when you go! Therefore, you have to save money, for the Right Motive!
God has entrusted each person with certain resources. And money is a resource that we must be trustworthy in managing. For instance, we cannot live in an apartment while driving a car that costs more than a mortgage! That’s Not Good Stewardship! We can’t have enough money to buy a new car, but have Nothing Saved for Our Children’s College Education! How do you expect them to reach higher education when you keep lowering the savings account that will help them attain it? You can’t have money to get your fingernails done but have no food in the house! You have to Budget and Balance!
In addition, money is something that God uses to test your ability to handle properly the other gifts He desires to give you (Luke 16:11, “Therefore, if you can’t be trusted with wealth that is often used dishonestly, who will trust you with wealth that is real?” GWT). The Message Bible says it like this: “If you’re honest in small things, you’ll be honest in big things; If you’re a crook in small things, you’ll be a crook in big things. If you’re not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses: He’ll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can’t serve both God and the Bank”! (vss. 10-13 MSG)
So if people were to look at your financial lifestyle, would they say you could be trusted with the fullness of the storehouse? Or would you be more likely to empty it out instead?
Sisters, one day God will ask for an accounting of how you managed the resources He has given you. So, do you think you will pass the test or fail? You need to know the answer to that!
Case In Point: Luke 19:11-26, “While he had their attention, and because they were getting close to Jerusalem by this time and expectation was building that God’s kingdom would appear any minute, he told this story: “There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, GAVE THEM EACH A SUM OF MONEY, and instructed them, ‘OPERATE WITH THIS UNTIL I RETURN.’ “But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: ‘We don’t want this man to rule us.’ “When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, HE CALLED THOSE TEN SERVANTS TO WHOM HE HAD GIVEN THE MONEY TO FIND OUT HOW THEY HAD DONE”. “The first said, ‘Master, I doubled your money.’ “He said, ‘Good servant! Great work! Because you’ve been TRUSTWORTHY in this small job, I’m making you governor of ten towns.’ “The second said, ‘Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.’ “He said, ‘I’m putting you in charge of five towns.’ “The next servant said, ‘Master, here’s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don’t suffer fools gladly.’ “He said, ‘You’re right that I don’t suffer fools gladly—AND YOU’VE ACTED THE FOOL! WHY DIDN’T YOU AT LEAST INVEST THE MONEY IN SECURITIES SO I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE INTEREST ON IT?’ “Then he said to those standing there, ‘TAKE THE MONEY FROM HIM AND GIVE IT TO THE SERVANT WHO DOUBLED MY STAKE.’ “They said, ‘But Master, he already has double . . .’ “He said, ‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.” MSG).
So where have you invested the money God has given you? Who have you invested in? How much have you invested? Or have you lacked investing at all?
God has given you enough resources, so have you put money away for your children’s education? Have you put money away for retirement? Have you reexamined your finances and rid your budget of non-essential expenditures? Have you been faithful to give your tithe and offering? Have you sown finances in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and foreign missions? Have you funded orphans and widows as the Bible charges us to do? Have you put a plan in place to get yourself out of debt? Are you wearing more than you’re saving? Do you even know what a stock, bond, 401k, IRA is? Do you own anything, in your own name?
Do you have a savings account for “just in case?” What’s that you ask? Well that’s money you put aside and save ‘just in case’ the car breaks down; the kids need braces; the dog has to go to the vet; your son’s scholarship wasn’t granted; your daughter needs glasses; the plumbing has a leak; the stove stops working; your business goes in the red and doesn’t come out; an unexpected lay-off takes place; you, your spouse or child becomes long-term sick, the rent goes up; your parents need you to provide for their nursing home; etc…You Need a “Just In Case” Fund! So, do you have one?!
And not every “just in case” fund is for something traumatic, but you also need a “just in case” fund even for things that may seem a little less important, but are not: Have you and your family gone on vacation together? Do you and your spouse have play money set aside for date night? Do you have change for the kids to go to summer camp instead of hanging out in front of the TV all summer? These things are just as important and deserving of a “just in case” fund!
God has given you Money, therefore He’s given you Resource! So, how are you Managing His Resources?
It’s Also Important Ladies, to Note, that a Wife/Woman who manages resources wisely is a blessing to her husband and family:
Pay Closer Attention to the Proverbs 31 Woman: The Bible declares, “A GOOD WOMAN is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. HER HUSBAND TRUSTS HER WITHOUT RESERVE, AND NEVER HAS REASON TO REGRET IT. Never spiteful, she treats him GENEROUSLY all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. SHE LOOKS OVER A FIELD AND BUYS IT, THEN, WITH MONEY SHE’S PUT ASIDE, PLANTS A GARDEN. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. SHE’S QUICK TO ASSIST ANYONE IN NEED, REACHES OUT TO HELP THE POOR. She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and SELLS THEM, brings the sweaters she knits to the DRESS SHOPS. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!” Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!” Proverbs 31:10-31 MSG).
Ladies, did you catch some of those highlights? Her husband trusts her without reserve and has no regret! Why? Because she knows how to manage her household…and that includes Money! The Scripture says she “…shops around…” sounds like bargain hunting to me! A good woman who is a good steward shops around for the best bargain for her families budget!
She also “…looks for a field and buys it…with money she’s put aside…” Sounds like a savings account to me! Listen: You may come across a foreclosed house or a car for little of nothing, but if you’ve not put aside some money…someone else will enjoy that blessing!
Then she also “…plants a garden”…with the “…money she’s put aside” You take seed to plant, and then you wait, and then you reap, then you sow, then you wait, then you reap, then you sow, then you wait, then you reap…are you getting this? She makes sure that her harvest always comes around again because she’s smart enough, diligent enough…to keep putting money aside! Are you?
And she’s not selfish either because “…She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor…” Would people agree or disagree that that’s your testimony?
Truth is, there’s nothing worse than a woman who wears more on her back than she has in her bank account!
This woman is also “…generous…” and employed because “…she dresses for work…” Sisters, you need a job because a man is not income!
She’s also “prepared…skilled…organized and diligent” Are you?
She “…knits and sews…” Instead of shopping for new clothes all the time!
She “…prepares breakfast for her family…” Instead of throwing away tons of money at restaurants and slowly killing her family eating at fast food joints daily!
She owns her own business because “…she makes her own clothing and dresses…and sells them…to the dress shops”
And she’s so well prepared that not even a change in the season throws her off course because “…She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear….”
And what does all of this get her in the end? A household that praises her for her diligence in taking care of her household! Everything about this woman is industrious! She works to make sure she and her family has more than enough…can your household say the same about you?
Remember this: “And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]” 2 Corinthians 9:10 AMP) In other words, He Only Gives Seed To Those Who Have Sown! Maybe that explains why your barn is always empty! Only Sowers Get More Seed!
In conclusion, Women of God, avoid an overly consumptive lifestyle! The Bible teaches us to be temperate in all things: (1 Corinthians 9:25, “Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself TEMPERATELY and RESTRICTS HIMSELF IN ALL THINGS…AMP). “Temperate” means “Showing Moderation or Self-Restraint”
Ladies, Good Stewards Exercise Moderation and Self-Restraint even when the shoes are buy one get one free; the dress is 50% off or the pocketbook is 2 for the price of 1!
Good Stewards, even know how to pass up a good thing for a better one. For example: Yes you’ve saved enough for a new car, but your son graduates high school this year, so is this really the right time or not?
Ladies, whatever you do, Avoid Debt! (Proverbs 22:7, “The poor are always ruled over by the rich, SO DON’T BORROW AND PUT YOURSELF UNDER THEIR POWER” (MSG); Romans 13:8, “DON’T RUN UP DEBTS, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other… MSG).
Grab hold of the Wisdom of the Proverbs: Proverbs 12:11, “Those who work their land will have plenty to eat, but those who engage in empty pursuits have no sense” CEB). Surely You Don’t Want To Be Known As A Sister With No Sense?!
An Important Scripture I Want to Leave With You Is: Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just”
The Amplified Bible says it like this: “A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up”
Two things I want you to take note of:
1) The Inheritance That’s Left Is “…moral stability and goodness…” the Inheritance that you leave them has nothing to do with money! Does that mean you shouldn’t have life insurance? No! Don’t be stupid! Take care of your family! But note that the Biblical Inheritance Is “…Moral Stability and Goodness” that’s Real Wealth! and;
2) You Don’t Have to be Wicked to Attain Wealth! You do not need schemes and under-handed tricks! The Bible says: “…the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous…” Why? Because it’s “…for whom it was laid up”. In other words, God already has a plan in place for your prosperity! No matter how much Wealth the Wicked has, it will eventually flow our way! It has no choice but to, because it was already intended for us to have! It was already laid up for us!
So bear in mind: you need to get out of debt, save, budge and balance wisely and most important leave an inheritance to your future family generations of moral stability and goodness and get rid of your stress because the wealth of the wicked has to eventually be deposited in your bank account!
Women be Wise in Wealth and Manage Money Better!
Much Love, Dr. Shermaine
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)
"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)
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