What does it mean to live as a good steward of what God has given us—our time, our talents, and our treasures? Scripture teaches that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. Our role is to manage these gifts faithfully, using them to bring glory to Him and good to others.
The Stewardship of the Soul
Every person has a soul, a life that matters deeply to God. He created each of us with purpose and intention. None of us are here by accident. God calls His people to care for others—to help them grow in faith, strengthen their families, and discover their God-given purpose. When we invest in people’s lives, we are practicing the stewardship of the soul.
If a church or individual faithfully cares for the souls of others—helping them to know Jesus, to grow in grace, and to live for Him—God blesses that faithfulness. But if we neglect people or focus only on ourselves, we risk cutting off the flow of His blessings. Stewardship begins with the heart and the way we treat others.
The Stewardship of Life
Beyond our souls, God has entrusted us with time, talents, and treasures. These are not random gifts; they are divine opportunities. How we use them reflects the condition of our hearts. God doesn’t just care about how much we give—He cares that we give wisely, joyfully, and in alignment with His purpose.
Ignoring the subject of money or time management robs us of spiritual growth. The Bible contains more than 2,500 references to money and possessions—more than it does about heaven and hell combined. Clearly, God wants us to understand how our attitude toward giving reveals our trust in Him.
Generosity: A Reflection of a Changed Heart
When John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, people asked him, “What should we do?” His answer was simple yet profound: share what you have. “He that has two coats, let him give one away,” John said (Luke 3:11). A heart that has truly repented and turned to God becomes generous. It begins to think less about self and more about others.
Generosity and gratitude go hand in hand. John also told the soldiers to be content with their wages—to be thankful rather than resentful. A thankful heart is a giving heart.
God Himself is our greatest example. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16) He didn’t hold back. If we want to be like Him, we must learn to give with open hands and open hearts.
A Picture of Transformation: Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus, a dishonest tax collector, met Jesus one day in Jericho. After encountering the Savior, his heart was completely changed. The first evidence of that change was in how he handled money. He said, “Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor, and if I’ve taken anything from anyone, I’ll repay them fourfold” (Luke 19:8).
Salvation transformed his heart—and generosity was the natural response. When Jesus saw Zacchaeus’ changed priorities, He declared, “Today salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19:9)
Living with Open Hands
Human nature wants to cling tightly to possessions. Babies are born with their fists clenched—a fitting symbol of how many people live their entire lives. But when God gets hold of our hearts, those hands begin to open. We learn to say, “Lord, all I have belongs to You.”
A businessman once said, “I just don’t want to be stingy.” That’s the right mindset. God’s Word offers three truths that can help us live with open hands:
1. Your Giving Determines Where Your Heart Is
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
Your spending and giving habits reveal what you value most. If you give to God’s work, your heart naturally follows. You can’t love God deeply and live selfishly at the same time.
Giving won’t earn your way to heaven—but it will show that your heart belongs there. A generous heart is a reflection of a life aligned with God’s priorities.
2. Your Giving Determines Where Your Home Is
When we give to God’s work, we are sending treasure ahead to our eternal home. Jesus said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:20) Our true home is not here—it’s being prepared for us even now. Every act of generosity is an investment in eternity.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). We live in this world, but our citizenship is in heaven. Let’s live—and give—like people who are just passing through.
3. Your Giving Determines Your Happiness
Solomon, one of the wealthiest men in history, wrote, “He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10) More money doesn’t bring peace; contentment does. A generous person can sleep well at night because they know they’ve used what God gave them for His purposes.
True happiness isn’t found in what we keep—it’s found in what we give. You can’t take your possessions with you, but you can send blessings ahead through generosity.
The Joy of Generosity
Everything we have—our time, talent, and treasure—comes from God. He gives us these gifts not to hoard but to share. Generosity transforms us. It shapes our hearts, strengthens our faith, and fills us with gratitude.
The Treasure Principle reminds us that life is not about accumulation but about stewardship. When we open our hands, we discover that we were never really the owners to begin with—only managers of God’s blessings. And when we live that way, we find true joy, peace, and purpose.
