More Than Money: A Devotional for Faith-Driven Impact Investorsનમૂનો

Stewardship Starts with the Gospel, Not Money

In today’s Christian investing circles, it’s become common to start stewardship conversations with money: how we give, how we invest, and how we align portfolios with Christian values. But Scripture starts elsewhere. It calls us first to be stewards of the Gospel.

"This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." – 1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV

Paul, writing to the Corinthians, doesn’t refer to himself as a steward of cash flows or assets. He calls himself a steward of the "mysteries of God" – the revealed truth of salvation through Jesus Christ.

These “mysteries of God” – the once-hidden truths of salvation now revealed through Jesus Christ – are our primary trust. Before we ever deploy money, each of us is called to be a carrier of the Good News.

This reframes what faithfulness really means. If we are generous with money but negligent with the message of Christ, we are not truly faithful stewards.

Here’s why: it is only stewardship of the Gospel that leads to eternal transformation. Good stewardship of money may influence the lives of others; but it is only the Gospel that can save them.

This doesn’t mean we stop giving or investing.

What it does mean, however, is that any of our impact or faith-driven investing activities must flow from a heart that is deeply rooted in, shaped by, and obedient to the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Seeking to do good with our money while neglecting the primary teachings of the faith is similar to the behavior of King Saul when he decided to keep the best as an offering to God, even though the prophet Samuel had told him otherwise. After that episode, Samuel pointed out that “obedience is better than sacrifice,” and terminated Saul’s kingship.

Impact without obedience to the teachings of Jesus may help the world, but it doesn’t honor God.

Obedience to proclaim the Gospel through all aspects of our lives – glorifying Him in all that we do – is what God desires, and no amount of giving or impact investment changes that.

So ask yourself these questions:

Am I stewarding the Gospel as actively as I steward my finances?

Do I speak about Jesus with the same intentionality as I talk about investment opportunities?

Have I asked God to lead not just my giving, but my living?

Money is only part of the picture. The whole canvas is your life – and the Gospel is the centerpiece.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for entrusting me with influence and resources. But thank You even more for entrusting me with Your Gospel. Help me to steward it well – in my speech, in my decisions, and in my relationships. Let my financial life reflect, not replace, my obedience to You. Amen.