DAY 2: COMMITTED TO STEWARDSHIP

1 Corinthians 4:2: “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (ESV)

As you battle financial anxiety, it is important that, as a Christian, you maintain perspective. Amid this battle, Satan is going to try and deceive, manipulate, and lie to you (1 Peter 5:8). The frame of mind to embrace is to commit yourself to the Lord as a Christian steward.

Biblical stewardship is about managing all that God entrusts to our care according to His principles and for His purposes, even when it seems those resources are limited or at risk. Here is why having a Christian stewardship perspective is paramount while working through financial anxiety.

• The Christian steward mindset is fundamental to who we are and how we’re called to live. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) provides one of the clearest depictions of how God intends for us to relate to Him, money, and material things. The wealthy landowner represents God, while the servants are us. Everything in our possession has been temporarily entrusted to us by God; that is the perspective of the Christian steward. As a result, we have a responsibility to manage God’s resources according to His instructions, including when those resources may feel limited or out of order.
• The Christian steward mindset infuses our lives with great meaning and joy. The Bible teaches us to live an others-centered life—to love God (Matthew 22:36-38), love people (Matthew 22:39), and use our God-given gifts and talents to make a difference in this world (Ephesians 2:10). That very naturally leads to a life of generosity, about which Jesus famously said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Countless secular studies have backed that up, finding that the happiest, most fulfilled people are those who live generously. Even amid your financial anxiety, you can experience the heart of generosity from others, or may even feel convicted to increase your generosity. The spectrum is wide as to what causes financial anxiety, but you can be on the journey to finding peace as you allow God’s generosity to be displayed or active in your life.
• The Christian steward mindset strengthens our relationship with God. The Bible says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Overcoming financial anxiety is both a head and heart issue. Anxiety exists in the mind, but loyalty exists in the heart. Choose God as your ultimate treasure, seek His Kingdom first (Matt. 6:33), and you will be posturing yourself to experience the peace of God.

Overcoming financial anxiety in your life is a very intentional and mental process. On this journey, you must choose to both believe and become a faithful steward. Take a moment to pray the following:

Dear Lord, I choose to seek You first above all things. Whether in seasons of abundance or seasons of few, my heart is Yours. You, Lord, are my treasure. You know why I am experiencing this financial anxiety in my life. Help me to understand how I can be a faithful steward of all You have entrusted me with as a display of faithfulness and trust in You. Amen.