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Promises from the Bible are transformative!  

Why?  It is because they offer assurance and hope grounded in the unchanging character of God. Unlike worldly assurances that falter, biblical promises stem from the faithfulness of God as we see in 2 Corinthians 1:20 –For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV84)

Embracing and claiming Biblical promises fosters resilience, perseverance, and spiritual growth, empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges with unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness.

For those that are desiring to be a good steward of what God has put into their care, and working hard to stay on the “straight and narrow” road to good stewardship, sometimes weariness kicks in, and we feel it.

Here are 7 Gospel Promises for the Weary Steward.

1. You are justified by grace through faith, not by financial faithfulness.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” — (Ephesians 2:8, NIV84)

Hear this loud and clear: YOU are NOT accepted before God based on your faithfulness in financial stewardship. That doesn’t mean that your faithfulness in financial stewardship doesn’t have an impact on your relationship with God, for it surely does. But your justification is not based on how well you keep to your budget. But God sees your faithfulness. He is pleased with your faithfulness. Don’t lose heart.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9, NIV84)

 

2. God will provide for your needs.

God will provide for your needs. Your greatest need being Christ Jesus Himself. As we live trusting in the providence of God, we know that our deepest needs will be met. More often than not, those needs are spiritual. But we do have some encouragement when it comes to our physical needs being met as well. When you are growing weary in your financial planning, budgeting and stewardship, remember this:

  • for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. (Psalm 50:10–11, NIV84)
  • Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:26–27, NIV84)
  • “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matthew 6:28–30, NIV84)
  • Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7, NIV84)

 

3. You are not alone

There have been many Christians who have gone on before us, who in many ways have struggled with your same struggles. We need to remember these verses as we press on in personal stewardship:

  • Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1–2, NIV84)

Also, don’t forget about those around you called “The Body of Christ!” As you hopefully know, the church is a beautiful and diverse body! If you are plugged into one, it is important to know that there are people in your sphere of influence that can come alongside you and help you and lift you up!

If you are weary and/or need stewardship wisdom and guidance, PLEASE engage in church life and small groups. It is there that you could find a very present manifestation of the spiritual reality of Christ’s presence in your life. Ask around and seek those in the church who have financial and stewardship wisdom that can guide you in these difficult days.

 

4. There is a glorious inheritance for you in Christ!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:3–4, NIV84)

You don’t have to worry about gain!  You and I already have all the wealth that is ever going to matter because of your adoption into the family of God. Our ultimate problem has been solved! YOU ARE WEALTHY and adopted into the MOST WEALTHY family that there ever has been and ever will be!  You are a chosen child of God! What this means is that ALL that He has is at your disposal.  Does this mean that He will fill your bank account with all the money that you need?  No, but He could!  Remember earlier, HE owns the cattle on a thousand hills!  There is NO LACK in His supply!  The key area is more of a HOW (not an if) He will meet your needs!

  • The Great Exchange
    • Theological reality – My spiritual poverty goes to Christ, and His riches come to me. 
    • The Financial reality – We can relax.  We don’t have to be so concerned about growing our bottom line, or comparing our relative wealth to that of our neighbors!  Why?  Because of the great promise that we have from Christ!  ALL of our riches and works are nothing but filthy rags compared to the vast treasury of wealth stored up in heaven through our relationship with Jesus Christ. 

 

5. God promises to give wisdom to those who ask.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5, NIV84)

God has provided people in your church that can help you get through the valleys. Engage with them! God has also provided various ministries and para-church ministries that can help speak into you as you decipher your stewardship journey.

“For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” (Proverbs 2:6–8, NIV84). There are some very good “cause and effect” aspects in these verses. A good thing to remember is that for those that are His children and are following His ways, HE is the one that shields, guards, and protects as HE gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding!

 

6. God rewards faithful stewardship

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23–24, NIV84)

Faithfulness over perfection.

You don’t need the perfect budget – just be faithful. Our faithfulness is not just in the big things, but also in the small things.  Listen to Matthew 25:23, which is most likely a verse that you know:

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:23, NIV84)

The parable of the talents is a great section of Scripture to look at to show the difference between those that choose to be diligent and faithful stewards and those that are not. But if you stop there, you miss a key point in this passage! REWARDS!  Don’t forget the rewards for the “faithful steward.”

 

7. There is a future for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV84)

This stewardship position that you are in today, and your position in the world right now is not all that there is for you, weary steward! There is SO much more in store.

 

Stewardship Application

What I think I need may not be what I really need. 

What does Christ say that I need? Himself. What do I often think that I need? The stuff of this world!  And not just the basic stuff, but the nice – very nice – stuff! Remember:

  • Our ultimate need is Christ!
  • Our ultimate need is for His promises to become true in our lives… today, tomorrow and in eternity. 
  • Our ultimate need is to be faithful in doing good to and for HIM. And as we do so with HIS strength, watch our weariness and lack of wisdom turn to strength and understanding, which will ultimately lift us up, bring us strength, and ultimately bring great Glory to our Savior!

Tim Challies on the topic of suffering:

It’s not the valley we need to look at, but the destination beyond it.

“That destination may be death, or that destination may be greater holiness.  But whatever it is, that destination is not nothing, it is not meaningless. What this tells me is that any suffering we experience in this life is in some way under the sovereignty of God, in some way under the banner of “I shall not want.” God gives his people exactly what they need in order to lead them where he has determined they ought to go. Where they ought to go–where they will go–is the place that will bring glory to God.” (Tim Challies)

 

Next Steps

 

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The topics discussed in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations.Investing and investment strategies involve risk including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

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