How to be a Good Steward: 10 Ways to Care for the Resources He’s Entrusted to You

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The foundation for learning how to be a good steward of God first involves a paradigm shift in our thinking about ownership and responsibility in our lives. We are, as gardeners, called to tend carefully to everything God has entrusted to us-from the time and talents to our treasures and our relationships.

In this guide, we consider critical features of biblical stewardship, which involve wise financial management, developing God-given talents, building meaningful relationships with people, and caring about God’s creation. We will then learn how to apply all these principles practically in daily life and, therefore, make stewardship not a principle but a way of life.

Whether you’re at the beginning of your faith journey or seeking to deepen your commitment to God, these ten practical ways will guide you to be a more faithful steward of all that He has blessed you with. Together, we’ll explore how small, intentional changes can lead to significant spiritual growth and a more purposeful life that honors God.

1. Recognize Everything Belongs to God

I remember sitting in my garden one spring morning, admiring the blooming flowers and buzzing bees, when a profound realization hit me. The coffee in my hand, the chair I sat on, even the very breath in my lungs – none of it was truly mine. It was a humbling moment that transformed my perspective on how to be a good steward of God and His blessings.

Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This truth fundamentally changes how we approach ownership. Think about it – we often say “my house,” “my car,” or “my career,” but in reality, we’re temporary managers of God’s property. It’s like being given the keys to a luxury car for a road trip; while we have full use of it, we’re responsible for its care and ultimately accountable to its true owner.

This concept becomes even more meaningful when we consider 1 Chronicles 29:14, where David acknowledges, “Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” When we genuinely embrace this truth, it liberates us from the burden of ownership while instilling a deeper sense of responsibility.

To practically apply this principle, start each day by acknowledging God’s ownership. Create a gratitude journal listing His provisions, and regularly ask yourself, “Am I managing this resource in a way that honors its true Owner?”

2. Manage Time Wisely

Last month, I found myself overwhelmed with commitments, running from one activity to another, when my young daughter asked, “Daddy, why don’t we pray together anymore?” Her innocent question stopped me in my tracks, forcing me to reevaluate my priorities and understand learning how to be a good steward of God includes managing our most precious resource – time.

Ephesians 5:15-16 instructs us to “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Time is a non-renewable resource; once spent, it’s gone forever. Just as God provides us with 24 hours each day, He expects us to use them purposefully.

Consider creating a time audit for one week. Write down how you spend each hour, then prayerfully evaluate whether your time allocation reflects your proclaimed priorities. Are you investing time in what truly matters – your relationship with God, family, and serving others? Remember, Jesus himself took time for prayer and rest (Mark 1:35), showing us the importance of balanced time management.

Developing a God-centered schedule doesn’t mean filling every moment with “spiritual” activities. Rather, it means being intentional about our choices and recognizing that each minute is a gift from God to be used wisely.

3. Handle Finances Responsibly

The story of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1-4) took on new meaning for me during a particularly challenging financial season. While struggling to make ends meet, I learned that understanding how to be a good steward of God goes beyond simply managing money – it’s about trusting His provision and following His principles for financial management.

Proverbs 3:9-10 encourages us to “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” This principle isn’t about God needing our money; it’s about trust and obedience. When we prioritize giving, even in tight times, we declare our dependence on God rather than our bank account.

Financial stewardship involves more than just tithing. It includes budgeting wisely, avoiding unnecessary debt (Proverbs 22:7), saving for the future (Proverbs 21:20), and being generous to those in need. Create a monthly budget that reflects biblical priorities: giving first, saving second, and living within your means with what remains.

Consider implementing the envelope system or using budgeting apps to track spending. Remember, every financial decision is ultimately a spiritual decision. When we view money through this lens, our spending habits begin to align with God’s purposes.

4. Care for Your Body and Health

“Pass me another slice of pizza,” I used to say, ignoring the gentle nudge in my spirit about caring for my health. It wasn’t until a wake-up call from my doctor that I realized learning how to be a good steward of God includes taking care of our physical bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… Therefore honor God with your bodies.” This scripture transformed my view of health from a personal choice to a spiritual responsibility. Our bodies are literally God’s dwelling place!

Think of your body as a borrowed vehicle for accomplishing God’s purposes on earth. Just as you wouldn’t deliberately damage a borrowed car, we shouldn’t knowingly harm our bodies through poor health choices. This includes getting adequate rest (remember, even Jesus took time to rest – Mark 6:31), eating nutritious foods, staying active, and managing stress.

Start with small, sustainable changes. Perhaps begin each morning with a short walk and prayer time, gradually building healthier habits. Remember, this isn’t about achieving a certain look or following strict rules – it’s about honoring God by caring for His temple.

5. Develop Your Talents and Skills

Opening my first art studio seemed impossible at first. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) kept coming to mind, challenging me to consider whether I was burying my God-given abilities in the ground of fear and self-doubt. Understanding how to be a good steward of God means developing and using our talents for His glory.

1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” God has uniquely gifted each of us, not for our glory, but for His purposes and the benefit of others.

Consider your natural abilities, spiritual gifts, and acquired skills. Are you using them to their full potential? Perhaps you’re gifted in teaching, administration, encouragement, or creative arts. These aren’t coincidences – they’re divine investments intended to bear fruit for God’s kingdom.

Start by identifying one underdeveloped talent. Create a growth plan including learning opportunities, practice sessions, and ways to use this gift to serve others. Remember, developing your talents isn’t about proving your worth; it’s about stewarding what God has already entrusted to you for His purposes.

6. Nurture Relationships

Walking through my grandmother’s garden recently, I was struck by how she tenderly cared for each plant, knowing exactly what each one needed to thrive. Her approach to gardening mirrors how we should nurture our relationships. Just as each plant requires different care, each relationship in our lives needs unique attention and investment to flourish.

Understanding how to be a good steward of God involves recognizing that relationships are sacred gifts entrusted to us. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.” This scripture emphasizes the importance of intentional community building.

Consider your family relationships first. Are you investing quality time, offering forgiveness, and showing patience? Genesis 2:18 reminds us that God created us for relationship, saying, “It is not good for man to be alone.” In our digital age, it’s easy to substitute genuine connection with surface-level interactions.

Create a relationship inventory, listing your key relationships and how you’re nurturing each one. Schedule regular family dinners, implement device-free zones, and practice active listening. Remember, Jesus himself prioritized relationships, investing deeply in his disciples and maintaining close friendships (John 11:5).

7. Care for Creation

Last summer, my children and I started a small vegetable garden. As we planted seeds and watched them grow, I was reminded of God’s first command to humanity in Genesis 1:28 to “rule over” and care for His creation. Their excitement over each sprouting plant taught me valuable lessons about environmental stewardship.

Learning how to be a good steward of God includes being mindful caretakers of His creation. Psalm 24:1-2 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” This reminds us that environmental stewardship isn’t just a trendy concept – it’s a biblical mandate.

Consider implementing practical steps to care for God’s creation. Start composting, reduce single-use plastics, or plant native species in your yard. These small actions, when multiplied across many faithful stewards, can have significant impact. Remember, Noah’s care for God’s creatures (Genesis 6:19-20) shows us that protecting creation has always been part of God’s plan.

Create an environmental stewardship plan for your household. This might include energy conservation, responsible water usage, and supporting eco-friendly initiatives. Remember, caring for creation isn’t about worshipping nature, but honoring its Creator through responsible management.

8. Manage Resources Efficiently

The story of Joseph’s resource management in Egypt (Genesis 41) has always fascinated me. His ability to efficiently manage resources during abundance to prepare for scarcity demonstrates divine wisdom in stewardship. This ancient lesson remains remarkably relevant today as we learn how to be a good steward of God’s provisions.

Proverbs 21:20 tells us, “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” This scripture isn’t just about food storage – it’s about wise resource management in all areas of life. Whether it’s our household supplies, energy usage, or material possessions, God expects us to use resources thoughtfully and efficiently.

Start by conducting a resource audit of your home or workplace. Are there areas where resources are being wasted? Consider implementing systems for recycling, reducing energy consumption, and maximizing the use of what you have. The principle of “waste not, want not” isn’t just practical wisdom – it’s biblical stewardship in action.

Create a resource management plan that includes regular maintenance of possessions, responsible consumption habits, and sharing resources with others when possible. Remember, efficient resource management isn’t about hoarding, but about wise use and distribution of God’s provisions.

9. Steward Your Influence

A simple post I shared about my faith journey unexpectedly reached thousands, reminding me that influence, whether large or small, carries responsibility. Matthew 5:16 encourages us to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

In today’s interconnected world, understanding how to be a good steward of God includes managing our influence wisely, whether online or in person. Our words, actions, and attitudes can impact others far beyond what we imagine. Consider Daniel, whose influence in Babylon came not from forceful proclamations, but from consistent, godly living (Daniel 6).

Evaluate your spheres of influence – family, workplace, social media, community groups. Are you using these platforms to build up or tear down? Are your posts, comments, and conversations reflecting God’s love and truth? Create an influence strategy that includes regular self-assessment of your impact on others.

Remember, stewarding influence isn’t about gaining followers or recognition. It’s about faithfully representing Christ in every interaction, big or small. 1 Timothy 4:12 reminds us to “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

10. Guard Your Heart and Mind

Sitting in morning traffic recently, I caught myself dwelling on negative thoughts. Then Proverbs 4:23 came to mind: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” This reminder transformed my commute into a time of purposeful thought management.

The journey of learning how to be a good steward of God extends to our internal life – our thoughts, emotions, and spiritual well-being. Philippians 4:8 guides us to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.”

Develop practical strategies for guarding your heart and mind. This might include starting each day with Scripture meditation, carefully choosing media consumption, and practicing thought captivity (2 Corinthians 10:5). Create boundaries around what you allow into your mind through entertainment, conversations, and social media.

Consider implementing a daily spiritual inventory: What am I feeding my mind? Are my thoughts aligned with God’s truth? How am I processing emotions? Remember, guarding your heart isn’t about isolation from the world, but about maintaining spiritual and emotional health in a challenging environment. Regular prayer, Bible study, and authentic fellowship provide the foundation for this vital aspect of stewardship.

Conclusion:

All of this is a continuing process of building up to be good stewards of God’s blessings: requiring dedication, wisdom, and regular self-reflection. We have analyzed these ten essential ways to practice biblical stewardship, and let’s not forget this kind of growth takes time-one faith decision at a time. It is by living these principles consistently that we show God, through the choices we make, His resources have been managed well by us.