We owed an infinite debt of sin that was imputed to Jesus. He not only paid off our debt but also made us spiritually rich with His imputed righteousness. We who have been made rich in every way should gratefully steward the material wealth that God has given us to His glory.

Imagine that you unexpectedly inherited two million dollars. How should you wisely steward your newfound riches? There are basically three things you can do with wealth. You can enjoy it by spending it. You can save money for future concerns. Or you can give money to the Lord’s work. Each of these is addressed in 1 Timothy 6:17–19:

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Let’s consider a few characteristics of wise financial stewardship.

Characteristics of Wise Stewardship

Wise stewards are generous. Paul exhorts those who are rich to be “rich in good works.” Wealth offers the opportunity to make significant investments in the local church, missions, and other charitable activities. I dedicated my book Money, Debt, and Finances: Critical Questions and Answers to the productive people who have generously supported the churches and institutions where I have served for the past forty years. Giving is an act of faith by which we trust that the benefit of storing up treasure in heaven surpasses the earthly security or pleasure we might have if we kept our resources for ourselves (Prov. 11:25). Wise stewards give carefully. We have all been given resources by God, and we are not to waste those resources by, for example, giving them to those who refuse to work (2 Thess. 3:10). It also is important to research ministries that solicit our support to ensure that they have sound doctrine, that their mission is biblical, and that they are faithful stewards of the resources that the Lord entrusts to them.

Wise stewards enjoy God’s material gifts. Paul acknowledges that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” Those whom God has blessed materially can afford and enjoy homes, cars, food, clothes, and vacations. While Scripture warns against extravagance (Prov. 21:17), God’s Word does not mandate that we live a meager, ascetic lifestyle. In the Old Testament, God provided feasts for His people to enjoy and celebrate His abundant material blessings. Paul warns against those who “require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim. 4:3–5). What sets us apart from the world is that we are God-centered in our enjoyment of material blessings. Unbelievers receive abundant gifts from God but refuse to acknowledge Him by giving thanks (Rom. 1:21). God’s people recognize that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17), and they enjoy their blessings with gratitude (1 Cor. 10:31).

Wise stewards prepare for the future. Paul assumes that after being generous and enjoying the benefits of their productivity, the rich will still be “the rich.” There are benefits to saving as preparation for the future (Prov. 21:5). In a fallen world, there are unexpected medical bills, car repairs, unemployment, and recessions. Just as Joseph encouraged Pharaoh to save during the years of plenty as preparation for the coming famine (Gen. 41), savings can provide protection in times of calamity. “A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin” (Prov. 10:15). Stored wealth can serve many other important purposes, including retirement, children’s education, and an inheritance for grandchildren (Prov. 13:22).

Spiritual Considerations of Stewardship

Stewarding wealth brings both freedom and responsibility. Paul doesn’t specify percentages of how much we should give, save, and spend. Some believe that it is enough to give 10 percent of their income. They assume that after the Lord gets His tithe, the rest is ours to spend as we please. But we are not stewards merely of the portion we give away. We are to use 100 percent of our wealth in a way that pleases God (2 Cor. 5:9). Nor does Scripture tell us what standard of living we should enjoy—the size of our house or the make of our car. Nor does the Bible reveal what level of savings might be considered excessive. God has given us a great deal of freedom, which means that we have great responsibility. We each are called to prayerfully and diligently consider how we can best glorify God with our resources (2 Cor. 5:9). We are to give generously as God has prospered us (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8:1–15). The freedom that God gives us also implies that we need to be careful not to judge the choices and allocations that our brothers and sisters make (James 4:11–12). We can be tempted to envy those whose lifestyle and wealth surpass ours. “Love does not envy” (1 Cor. 13:4).

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