by Dick E. Hanson

HAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU HEAR the word "stewardship"? In most cases, this word conjures up something related only to money.

Growing up in the church, I always saw stewardship as simply giving "tithe." I'd also hear a lot about stewardship when there was a building program or when the church budget needed a boost. "Stewardship" seemed like some sort of divine fund-raising plan.

I became aware of stewardship's greater implications when I began to study it. I thought about the Pharisees; they were very devout "tithers." But they killed the Master. Stewards love and serve the Master; they don't kill Him. So, I concluded, being a good tithepayer doesn't make a faithful steward.

A Definition
It's hard to find a standardized definition for stewardship. Many books on stewardship have various definitions. My definition of the word has evolved over the years because of an attempt to focus on the real issues of stewardship. My first attempt at defining stewardship resulted in this: Stewardship is not seeing life through a dollar sign, but rather seeing all of life through Christ.

I used this definition for years, but could not seem to get away from the money perspective. So I wrote a second definition that was a little more direct: Stewardship is not about tithes and offerings; it is a positional word that indicates who God is and who humanity is; what God's part is and what humankind's part is in living out all of the elements of life.

The word "positional" indicates that stewardship is about position. For instance, if I say I am an employer, that indicates that I am not an employee. In the context of stewardship it means I am a steward, not an owner. I have no rights of ownership. That's why everyone is a steward, because life itself is, first and foremost, a gift of God. Once a person realizes this fact, the question becomes: How do I become a faithful steward?

Well, this definition didn't last long either; it seemed too long and needed too much explanation. So I developed a third: Stewardship is God-centered living.

This definition paints a picture that is biblical and easy to understand. The focus of the faithful steward is the Master; and the goal of the faithful steward is to bring glory to Him. The opposite of God-centered living is self-centered living.

So the next question is: Of what am I a steward?

The short answer is: everything! But to better explain, consider my seven T's of Stewardship.

Time. This is the great equalizer, every minute, every second. All humanity gets 24 hours a day; no more, no less.

Talent. Both acquired and natural.

Treasure. Money, possessions, property, etc.

People often ask, "If stewardship is not about money, why do stewardship people talk so much about it?" It's because there's probably no area of our lives that has more of an impact on us than on our attitudes and actions towards finances and possessions. Billy Graham said, "If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area of his life."

Money is what we get in return for our time and talents. A formula goes like this: Time + Talent = Money. Much of our life is focused on getting, spending, saving, giving, and investing. It is the single greatest competitor with God, for our attention.

"Money has great value," wrote Ellen White, "because it can do great good. In the hands of God's children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and clothing for the naked. It is a defense for the oppressed, and a means of help to the sick. But money is of no more value than sand, only as it is put to use in providing for the necessities of life, in blessing others, and advancing the cause of Christ" (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 351).

Temple. Our physical and mental dimensions (see 1 Cor. 6:19, 20)-our bodies, minds, senses, thoughts, words, and actions. Issues of recreation, health, reading, television, and entertainment surface here.

Testimony. This reflects our spiritual dimension and salvation story; our view of God. The apostle Paul wrote: "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1).

Ties. This is our social dimension; family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, church family-the people in our lives.

The Kingdom. The Scriptures, the law, gospel, great commission, our duty to others, etc.

Once we acknowledge that God owns all things and that all decisions have, at their core, stewardship ramifications, we can proceed to develop lives as faithful stewards. Christian investing entails choices that encompass these principles of stewardship.

First Things First....
Before we can invest, we have to have something to invest. This presents us with the idea of acquisition. Moses told the Israelites, "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth" (Deut. 8:18, NIV). All education, all training, and the resulting work are all designed to help us produce wealth for the purpose of serving God and assisting the work of His kingdom. God gives us the talent for producing money and wealth, it's a sin to neglect this talent.

All stewards must have a God-focused, heaven-inspired investment mentality. Some suggest that there is something inherently spiritual about poverty. The Bible does not support that. Prosperity is spiritual and scriptural; it's how we use our prosperity that's the challenge.

When Jesus said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18:24, NIV), He was simply saying it is hard for the rich to be saved, not impossible. This is a great caution to all who are wealthy to keep their perspective on God and His kingdom (by global standards that includes virtually all of us who live in North America). This is why our focus must be on God and His kingdom.

The word "investment," like stewardship, is one of those words that immediately conjures up visions of stocks, bonds, real estate, mutual funds, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and so on.

Jesus said: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:19-21, NIV).

"You can't take it with you," they say. But Jesus seems to be saying, "You can send it on ahead!" Paul makes it very clear in his comments to Timothy: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life" (1 Tim. 6:17-19, NIV).

The great danger in acquisition is selfishness; the antidote for selfishness is giving to God-centered purposes.

Christian investing is not just about money: it is about God's kingdom-
priorities. One writer suggests, "If you have enough food, wear decent clothes, live in a home that shields you from the weather, and own some kind of reliable transportation, you are in the top 15 percent of the world's wealthy. Add some savings, a hobby like hunting or fishing that requires equipment, two cars (any condition), a variety of clothing and your own house, and you have reached the top 5 percent."*

Every day is full of investment decisions. For instance, when we go to the grocery store, what we buy is an investment in our health. Our recreation and entertainment choices nourish body and soul. When we enroll our children in church school, we make an investment decision regarding their eternal welfare. People invest in skills that will make them more productive, planning a life that will produce income and provide greater opportunities for their families and give more to God's kingdom. When we give tithes and offerings, we are investing in God's kingdom through the church. It's all a matter of priorities.

Debtors and Savers
Even though most of us in North America would be considered rich by global standards, the problem of debt is a major concern. In the United States consumer credit card debt continues to grow. About 40 percent of those with credit card debt are making only the minimum payment. Bankruptcies approached 1.5 million filings in 2002 (see: www.abiworld.org). The latest statistics also show consumer bankruptcies as a percentage of total filings at 97.56 percent; in 1982 it was 81.78 percent.

So, to invest in our heavenly home, we can begin by getting out of debt. If you pay 20 percent interest (many are going to 25 percent or more) on your credit cards, every time you pay them down you are gaining 20 percent-guaranteed! Most people who discuss investing are in reality "debtors" and should deal with that before investing. If your employer has a stock-sharing program or a retirement plan with matching funds you'll want to participate, but don't go beyond that until you have all your consumer debt eliminated. Then you move into a category called "savers."

Every budget should include savings; savings are the secret to financial growth and prosperity. If you're going to be financially healthy you'll need to treat savings as essential as food, transportation, housing, or any other category of daily living. Things break, wear out, and stop working, often unexpectedly. If there's no money to replace them, we often have to resort to the use of credit to solve the problem. One of the functions of savings is to provide for these "rainy day" events.

As a rule of thumb your savings should cover you for three to six months if all of your income stopped today. The wise man wrote: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest" (Prov. 6:6-8, NIV). Even this creature was programmed by the Creator to save.

Once we have a healthy savings plan, the next question is: How can I maximize my interest on my savings? We have now progressed from debtors to savers, and now to investors.

Investing
The most common purpose for investing is retirement. One universal principle for retirement is: Be debt free; debt is your worst enemy. Having a home that's paid for becomes a key ingredient in a retirement plan. If it's too large it can be sold, a smaller home purchased, and the profit put into cash savings for future needs. I repeat, plan to be debt-free at retirement.

As for investing in particular, there are mutual funds, stocks, IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, Keoghs, stock option plans at your workplace, and the list goes on. Whatever the plan, the key ingredient in any investment plan is diversification. The Bible says: "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land" (Eccl. 11:1, 2, NIV).

Diversification is a wise practice. Many things can happen, as was illustrated in the recent Enron and WorldComm tragedies. People lost their entire life savings. The old saying "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is not only wise but scriptural. If you make mistakes, don't despair. Learn your lesson and move on.

Practical Suggestions
Here are some basic stewardship principles to remember in your financial investing life plan:

1. Accept Christ as both Lord and Savior. The beginning of Christian investing is to become God-centered. Dedicate every area of your life to His service. Jesus said, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt. 6:33, NIV).

2. Pray for divine wisdom and the help of the Holy Spirit. All planning begins on our knees, as close to the cross as we can get. "If any of you lacks wisdom," said the apostle, "he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).

3. Study Bible principles. There are more than 2,600 texts in the Bible dealing with money or money-management principles-more than faith, prayer, love, and peace. It's an important topic, and God has given ample guidance for us. Read the books of Proverbs and 2 Corinthians for starters.

4. Work with integrity and excellence. God has only one method for supporting the work of His kingdom: His people using their skills (both acquired and natural) to work with excellence and honesty. They are paid for their work: they, in turn, return to Him tithe and offerings as He blesses them. Then the cycle continues.

5. Develop a heavenly mentality; be truly Adventist. Focus on heaven and eternity. Ellen White wrote: "You need ever to cultivate spirituality, because it is not natural for you to be heavenly-minded" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 520).

6. Give tithes and offerings. You need the blessing of God along with wisdom from above to live a life that will honor your Creator, provide for yourself and your family, and support God's kingdom.

7. Budget to save. Don't just prepare a budget: make one that includes savings. The Family Financial Workbook: A Practical Guide to Budgeting has control built into the budgeting system. Most budgeting software lacks this important function.

8. Be debt-free. Make a list of every debt, from the largest to the smallest pay-off amount. Next, concentrate on paying off the smallest outstanding debt. When it is paid off, go to the next one on your list and use the amounts saved from the previous debt to accelerate payments on the next one, etc. Once your consumer debt is paid off (including automobiles), focus on the mortgage. Once that is paid off, put the amount of your mortgage payment into your retirement plan.

9. Get educated about life and its details. Read books, go to seminars, listen to people you believe to be wise. Then make your best decisions. Our decisions, based on knowledge, help us protect God's goods.

10. Have an investment plan. Begin saving for your children's education when they are born. Then, when they are school age, you will be "well planned" for their education needs. Someone once said of parents, "We are not responsible for our children's choices, but we are responsible for their training."

11. Have a retirement plan. Start now, not later. Use compound interest and time to your advantage. The younger you are when you start, the more interest you earn, and the faster your retirement funds will grow.

Final Counsel
Many Americans live on 110 percent (or more) of their income; the difference is made up by the use of credit. Sooner or later this catches up with us. Saving and living below our means is a wise choice.

Life is a risk, and so is investing. Nothing is completely without risk. Your tolerance for risk will guide your investment choices and the way you mix your stocks, bonds, and cash instruments. Also, age will be a consideration. See an online calculator like the one at www.money.cnn.com to guide you in your choices. Generally speaking, high interest means high risk, so beware.

Maintain a long-term perspective. Be patient. Stick with it. Take advantage of your employer's retirement plan, whether it's stock options, 401(k), or 403(b); if your employer gives matching funds, max out those funds. And remember: "Steady plodding brings prosperity" (Prov. 21:5, TLB).

Be careful about your advisors. A lot of people give investment advice. Often they have products to sell that "cloud" their advice. In marriage, God often puts opposites together, to broaden our lives as well as give us another perspective. Your spouse may be your most valuable counselor.

Avoid loads, commissions, and expensive investment advice. You can do a lot of things on your own. Know what is available and how it works, and make your own investment choices. There are thousands of mutual funds: many are load-free. Know the difference.

Taxes don't help. Check out tax-favored retirement plans, IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs, and Keogh plans in addition to the already-mentioned 401(k)s and 403(b)s.

Review your plan annually. Things change as we go through life. Health, occupations, children, and other life elements will modify how we plan. Review your goals, budgets, income forecasts, and expenses for the coming year. Also project into the future to when a large expense or long-term planning may be necessary, such as a daughter's marriage, college, graduate study, a new car, etc., and plan accordingly.

Have an estate plan. We are mortal. Eternal life, for most of us, will be on the other side of the resurrection. This "last offering" comes from having a will or trust in place. Contact the Trust Department of your union, conference, favorite ministry, or educational institution; they will assist you in getting your plan written in a way that will stand the test of law and will meet your desires.

Organize your records, and plan your funeral. This sounds premature, but it will be of great help to your family if things are in order at that difficult moment. Consider using the software sold at www.estateplanningorganizer.com.

There are only two kinds of stewards: faithful and unfaithful. When Jesus told His disciples to store up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:20), He was assuming that His listeners would be faithful stewards of the material and spiritual riches He was about to bestow.

Those same principles are as true now as they were then; just as firmly grounded on God's wisdom, love, and faithfulness. Our present happiness in doing God's will is but a dim reflection of the glories He has reserved for those who serve Him faithfully as good stewards.

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* Randy Alcorn, "Investing for Eternity," New Man, June 1997. Web site: www.epm.org.

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Dick E. Hanson is an ordained minister and director of Everlasting Gospel Seminars, located in Clackamas, Oregon.