Honoring God with All We’ve Been Given

Stewardship—it’s a word that often conjures images of budgeting money or managing possessions. While that’s part of it, biblical stewardship stretches far beyond the material. It’s about overseeing everything God has entrusted to us—our time, talents, relationships, and yes, our treasures—with care and purpose. Merriam-Webster defines stewardship as “the careful and responsible planning and management of something entrusted to one’s care.” In essence, it’s carrying out the will of the One who gave it all to us. As believers, this means recognizing that every aspect of our lives—spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, and material—comes from God, our Creator. To navigate this calling well, we need His wisdom and guidance (Psalm 32:8). So, how do we become faithful stewards? It starts with a heart that loves God, a mind aligned with His will, and a life that reflects His ways.
The Bible reveals a pattern for stewardship in Proverbs 3:5-10, showing us that managing God’s resources is deeply tied to our relationship with Him through Jesus. It’s not just about what we do with our stuff—it’s about who we are in Him. Let’s explore five key truths from this passage that guide us toward faithful stewardship and a blessed life.

At the heart of stewardship lies, well, the heart. Proverbs 3:5 urges us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Before we can manage anything God gives us—whether it’s our family, work, or ministry—we need a heart devoted to Him. Think of King David, whom God called “a man after my own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). This wasn’t about perfection—David had his flaws—but about his single-minded devotion to God’s laws and worship. He loved God deeply and sought to honor Him as he governed.

That’s where stewardship begins: with loyalty and love for God (Proverbs 23:26). Jesus echoes this in John 14:23, saying that those who love Him obey Him. Before we can know God’s ways or manage His resources, we must first give Him our hearts. A heart close to God sets the stage for everything else. Are you trusting Him fully, or holding back pieces of your devotion?

Stewardship isn’t just a heart issue—it’s a mind issue too. Proverbs 3:5 continues, “do not lean on your own understanding.” Oswald Chambers once noted that loving God with all our mind, as Jesus commands (Mark 12:30), is rare and challenging. Why? Because it requires choice. God gives us the power to decide (Deuteronomy 30:19-20), and those choices reflect our relationship with Him. Will we risk giving generously, or cling to the safety of withholding? Will we support God’s work, or prioritize our own plans?

This willingness—an intentional, eager readiness to align with God’s will—unlocks faithful stewardship. The Macedonian church, despite severe poverty, gave beyond their means because they were “freely willing” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). The Corinthians followed suit, their willingness fueling their generosity (2 Corinthians 8:10-12). We see it in Moses’ day, when the people gave so much for the Tabernacle that he had to stop them (Exodus 36:5-7), and in David’s time, when offerings for the Temple overflowed (1 Chronicles 29). Even Gaius in the New Testament supported evangelists with eager generosity (3 John 5-8). Willingness isn’t passive—it’s active, inspiring others and seeing sacrifice as a privilege. A mind yielded to God chooses His will over ours.

Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” This only works if our heart and mind are already His. Our “ways”—our actions, decisions, and behaviors—are the outward proof of what’s inside. They’re where stewardship becomes visible. Consider this: over a lifetime, the average person might handle 2 to 4 million dollars. That’s not just money—it’s time, talent, and opportunities, all entrusted by God. How we manage them matters (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Isaiah 55 invites us to live abundantly by aligning with God’s higher ways. But if our ways don’t match His, even good intentions fall flat. Haggai 1:5-7 warns, “Consider your ways.” If we plant our resources in good soil but live selfishly, our “bad ways” can choke the harvest (Haggai 1:8-11). Faithful stewardship means our daily steps honor God—whether in how we spend our time, use our gifts, or treat others. Proverbs 16:7 promises that when our ways please Him, even our enemies find peace with us. Are your ways reflecting His?

Next, Proverbs 3:7 instructs, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Purity isn’t just about avoiding big sins—it’s about integrity, a heart undivided. Ecclesiastes 12:13 calls this our “whole duty”—to revere God and shun evil. Romans12:1-2 urges us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, transformed by renewed minds. Purity in heart fuels power in life—the strength to serve God with all He’s given us.

Scholars define purity in two ways: cleansing from filth and being “unmixed,” free of double allegiance (James 1:8). Jesus ties it to treasure: where your treasure is, there your heart is (Matthew 6:21, 24). A pure heart seeks God alone, not the world’s applause (Psalm 24:3-6). Without this, stewardship falters—divided loyalties dilute our impact. Purity empowers us to manage God’s resources with sincerity and honor.

Finally, Proverbs 3:9-10 calls us to “honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” Adoloph Monod put it beautifully: “There is no portion of ‘our time’ that is our time, or ‘our money’ that is our money. It is all His.” Everything we have—every minute, skill, and dollar—belongs to God. John Wesley echoed this: we’re not owners, but stewards, managing God’s goods for His service.

This truth shifts our perspective. We’re not clinging to “mine”; we’re overseeing “His.” Paul says stewards must be faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2), and one day, we’ll account for it all (Matthew 25:23). So, ask yourself: Is your heart His heart? Your mind His mind? Your ways His ways? Your purity His purity? Your possessions His possessions? If so, you’re on track to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Stewardship isn’t a checklist—it’s a lifestyle rooted in relationship with God. It’s trusting Him with our hearts, aligning our minds with His will, walking His ways, pursuing purity, and surrendering our possessions. When we do, He promises to guide us (Proverbs 3:6) and bless us (Proverbs 3:10). It’s not about perfection, but faithfulness—managing all God’s given us for His glory.

This week, reflect on Matthew 25:14-30, the Parable of the Talents. What does it reveal about your stewardship? Where can you grow? Journal your insights and let God shape you into a steward who honors Him fully.

For more on this topic, listen to our sermon The Stewardship of Life, Part 1: