For the past few weeks, God has really impressed upon me the importance of living a balanced life for His glory. One area that I think we all struggle with in our day to day lives is leading a balanced financial life.

The Balanced Steward

Stretched too thin. Do you ever feel that way? So many things in life compete for our attention. We must keep up with the daily pressures of work, go to the store, clean the house, mow the lawn, make time for friends, spend quality time with the family, serve at the church, study God's Word, volunteer in the community, pay the bills, fix the car... you get the idea! Sometimes I feel like pizza dough being pulled in several directions... the dough getting thinner and thinner. Before you know it, it'll tear right apart!

The key is to keep in tune with God and find a balanced life. This same principle holds true in our finances. I've learned that there are several areas of stewardship that we need to be concerned about. Often, these areas compete against one another. For instance, I know that I need to give to church, but I also need to save for the future. I should also work hard but need to enjoy the blessings from God as well. It is easy to lose focus and concentrate on one area of stewardship too much. To properly balance our financial stewardship lives, I believe it is important for us to know the primary purposes of our money from a Biblical perspective.

In my opinion, there are four primary stewardship roles given to us in scripture.

1. Giving: For many of us, this is what comes to mind when we think about stewardship. This is a crucial element; however, it is not the only one. Scripture tells us to give tithes and offerings. If we do not, we are robbing God (Malachi 3:8-9). But realize, there is much much more to stewardship than just gifting. At the same time, we must also recognize that this is the most overlooked and abused stewardship role. Statistically speaking, only 4% of people tithed in 2004. More people tithed during the great depression than they do today! God asks for and expects us to give at least 10% off of the top of all our income. If we honor Him with our wealth, we will be blessed (Luke 6:38).

2. Providing: Scripture teaches that we are to save and invest to provide for our family's needs (Timothy 5:8, Proverbs 6:6-11). If we are unsuccessful in this area, then we are considered "worse than an infidel." Properly meeting our family's needs takes preparation, vision, and commitment. All too often, people I meet with have no idea what it will take to meet goals such as college savings or retirement. It's time to start planning! Do you know if you're saving enough for your goals?

3. Attaining: God also gives us plenty of direction when it comes to attaining our wealth. We are taught to work hard... as if we are serving God Himself with our products and services (Colossians 3:23-24). We are to work with honesty and integrity and should never profit from sinful practices (Proverbs 10:2). This is one of the reasons we believe so highly in screening investments for Christian values. If you are profiting from pornography or abortion, are you violating God's principles of stewardship? Allow us to provide you with a free screening of your investments.

4. Enjoying: In all of our work, God also expects us to enjoy the fruits of our labor (1 Corinthians 9:7). Guard your hearts on this one! It is very easy to get carried away and go far beyond simple enjoyment and turn this into idolatry. Almost every time that I've worked with a family having financial difficulty, it is because they have overspent on "enjoyment." We should find enjoyment in our lives, but it should never come at the cost of our giving to God's work or providing of our family's needs. As a matter of fact, we will never reach a true level of "enjoyment" until we are faithfully giving as God has impressed upon our hearts.

As you can tell, these stewardship roles can compete with one another. We must find God's balance. Also, bear in mind that these are great stewardship principles to remember; however, don't ever put God in a box! Approach each day with an open heart and mind to what God has for you. Ask Him, "God, what would You have me to do with these... Your assets? Help me to find the balance You have for my life." Keep in mind that God has a unique plan for your life and hence a unique financial plan as well. I pray that you'll find the balance and peace that comes with knowing God's plan for your life.