Building a Life of Faith and Financial Stewardship

Devotional

Day 1: Everything We Have Comes from God

Recognizing that all we possess and earn is ultimately from God changes our entire approach to money. Instead of seeing ourselves as owners, we become stewards, entrusted with resources to manage wisely and generously. This perspective frees us from the anxiety of scarcity and the pride of self-sufficiency, inviting us to live with gratitude and open hands. When we acknowledge God as the source, we are more likely to seek His guidance in our financial decisions and to use what we have to bless others, knowing that one day we will give an account for all He has entrusted to us. [07:40]

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (ESV)
Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Reflection: In what practical way can you remind yourself today that everything you have—your income, possessions, and opportunities—are gifts from God, not just the result of your own effort?

Day 2: Live Within Your Means and Plan for the Future

God calls us to wisdom in our finances, which means living within our means, planning ahead, and resisting the urge to spend everything we have. In a culture that equates wealth with happiness and encourages constant consumption, choosing contentment and careful stewardship sets us apart. Planning for the future—through saving, budgeting, and avoiding unnecessary debt—reflects trust in God’s provision and a desire to honor Him with what we have. This discipline not only brings financial stability but also cultivates a heart of contentment, teaching us that true satisfaction is not found in having more, but in being grateful for what we already possess. [12:05]

Proverbs 21:20 (ESV)
Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

Reflection: What is one area of your spending where you can intentionally choose to live beneath your means this week, creating margin for future needs and generosity?

Day 3: Generosity Reflects God’s Heart

Generosity is not about a specific percentage or amount, but about the posture of our hearts. When we give freely, we reflect the character of our generous God and declare that our trust is in Him, not in our possessions. Giving breaks the power of greed and self-centeredness, allowing us to participate in God’s work in the world and to invest in things that have eternal value. Whether we have much or little, God invites us to be generous with what we have, knowing that He is able to provide for all our needs and to use our gifts to bless others. [16:00]

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: Who is one person or ministry you can bless with a generous gift this week, regardless of the amount, as an act of trust and worship?

Day 4: Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be Also

Jesus warns us that our hearts inevitably follow our treasure. If we invest primarily in earthly things, our affections and priorities will be tied to things that are temporary and uncertain. But when we invest in God’s kingdom—through generosity, service, and eternal values—our hearts are drawn closer to Him. Money is a tool, not an end in itself, and how we use it reveals what we truly value. By storing up treasure in heaven, we guard our hearts against greed and idolatry, and we experience the freedom and joy that comes from putting God first. [33:11]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Reflection: Review your recent spending or giving—what does it reveal about what you treasure most, and how might you realign your finances to reflect God’s priorities?

Day 5: Be Transformed by Renewing Your Mind About Money

Our culture’s approach to money is often marked by anxiety, comparison, and self-indulgence, but God calls us to a different way of thinking. By allowing God to renew our minds through His Word, we become able to discern His will and make wise financial decisions that honor Him. This transformation is not just about following rules, but about becoming people who reflect Christ in every area—including our finances. As we surrender our financial lives to God, we experience freedom from the world’s patterns and discover the peace and purpose that come from living according to His truth. [01:11]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one belief or habit about money that you have picked up from the world, and how can you invite God to transform your thinking in this area today?

Sermon Summary

So much of life is built on the foundation we choose, and nothing is more important than building on the foundation of God through Jesus Christ. Everything else—our health, career, family, and especially our finances—must be connected to what God is doing and who He is. Managing money well is good, but it is not the ultimate goal. The real question is whether our lives are rooted in faith and trust in Christ, responding to His revelation and leadership. Without that, even perfect financial management is empty.

Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the world’s patterns, especially in how we think about money. The world’s way is to chase after more, to find contentment in accumulation, and to measure success by wealth. But God’s way is transformation from the inside out, so that we can discern His will and live wisely. The Bible speaks often about money, not just about giving, but about the heart and mindset behind our finances.

First, everything we have comes from God. Deuteronomy 8:17 makes it clear that even our ability to earn is a gift from Him. The idea that God gets 10% and we keep 90% is flawed; in truth, it all belongs to Him. Generosity is not about a percentage, but about recognizing God’s ownership and our role as stewards.

Second, God expects us to live within our means. Proverbs teaches that wisdom is seen in planning and saving, not in spending everything we get. Contentment is not found in having more, but in a heart that trusts God and is grateful for what He provides. Planning for the future, saving, and avoiding debt are all biblical principles that free us to respond to God’s call and to be generous.

Third, generosity is a reflection of God’s character in us. We give not to get, but to declare our values, to break the power of greed, and to invest in God’s kingdom. Our giving brings good into the world and invites God’s blessing.

Finally, Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, but to invest in heaven. Where our treasure is, our heart will be also. Money is a tool, not an end. If we let it become our master, it will harden our hearts and distort our values. But when we keep God first, money finds its proper place, and our lives reflect His generosity and wisdom.

Key Takeaways

1. The foundation of life must be Jesus Christ, not financial security or worldly success. Even if every other area of life is in order, without faith in Christ and a response to His revelation, we miss the most important thing. True Christian living is not about getting everything right, but about building on the right foundation. [00:31]
2. God owns everything, and we are stewards, not owners. The common mindset that God is owed a percentage and the rest is ours is a distortion; everything we have is entrusted to us by God. Generosity flows from recognizing His ownership and our responsibility to use His resources for His purposes. [09:32]
3. Contentment and wise financial living are heart issues, not income issues. The Bible teaches that living within our means, planning for the future, and avoiding debt are acts of wisdom and trust. True contentment is not found in having more, but in a heart that is grateful and secure in God’s provision. [12:46]
4. Generosity is a spiritual discipline that shapes our hearts and breaks the power of greed. Giving is not about the amount, but about the heart posture of recognizing God’s generosity and responding in kind. When we give, we invest in God’s kingdom and invite His blessing, not as a transaction, but as a declaration of trust and value. [16:38]
5. Where we invest our treasure reveals the true orientation of our hearts. Jesus warns that wealth can easily become an idol, hardening us and distorting our values. By storing up treasure in heaven—through generosity, stewardship, and kingdom investment—we keep our hearts aligned with God and ensure that money serves us, not the other way around. [33:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - The True Foundation: Building on Christ
[01:11] - The World’s Pattern vs. God’s Transformation
[03:05] - What God Wants to Do In You
[04:22] - Why the Bible Talks So Much About Money
[06:19] - A Theology of Money: God’s Ownership
[08:54] - Rethinking Tithing and Generosity
[10:47] - Living Within Your Means: Biblical Wisdom
[12:46] - Contentment and the Heart
[14:06] - Planning for the Future
[16:38] - The Power and Purpose of Generosity
[18:31] - The Reality of American Finances
[21:50] - Practical Financial Basics
[25:43] - Avoiding Debt and Finding Freedom
[29:31] - Saving and Planning for Uncertainty
[32:36] - Jesus’ Warning: Treasures on Earth vs. Heaven
[36:26] - Money as a Reflection of Our Values
[37:43] - Six Questions for Financial Reflection
[41:27] - Prayer and Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 12:2 (ESV) —
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

- Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (ESV)

Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

- Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 12:2, what is the difference between being “conformed to this world” and being “transformed by the renewal of your mind”? How does this relate to the way we think about money? [01:11]
In Deuteronomy 8:17-18, what warning does Moses give the Israelites about their wealth and ability to earn? [07:40]
What does Jesus say about storing up treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven in Matthew 6:19-21? What are the reasons he gives? [32:36]
The sermon mentions that “everything we have comes from God.” What examples did the pastor give to illustrate this point? [09:32]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul warns believers not to be conformed to the world’s way of thinking, especially regarding money? How might the world’s pattern differ from God’s pattern? [01:11]
The pastor said, “The idea that God gets 10% and we keep 90% is flawed; in truth, it all belongs to Him.” How does this perspective change the way a Christian might approach budgeting and generosity? [09:32]
Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What does this reveal about the connection between our spending and our spiritual priorities? [33:11]
The sermon described contentment as a “heart issue, not an income issue.” What does this mean, and how does it challenge common assumptions about money and happiness? [12:46]

Application Questions

The pastor said that even perfect financial management is empty if our lives aren’t rooted in faith and trust in Christ. Are there areas in your life where you are focused on “getting everything right” but may be missing the foundation of faith? What would it look like to shift your focus? [00:31]
The sermon challenged the idea that “God gets 10% and we keep 90%.” How would your financial decisions change if you truly believed that 100% of your resources belong to God? Is there a specific area where you feel challenged to be a better steward? [09:32]
The pastor shared that contentment is not about having more, but about trusting God and being grateful for what He provides. In what ways do you struggle with contentment? Are there practical steps you can take this week to cultivate gratitude and trust? [12:46]
Generosity was described as a spiritual discipline that breaks the power of greed. Is there a recent example where you felt challenged to give but hesitated? What held you back, and what might help you take a step of faith next time? [16:38]
The sermon encouraged living within your means, planning for the future, and avoiding debt. Which of these areas is most difficult for you right now? What is one practical change you could make this month to move toward greater financial freedom? [14:06]
Jesus warns that wealth can easily become an idol and harden our hearts. Are there signs in your life that money or possessions are taking too high a priority? What would it look like to “store up treasure in heaven” in your current season? [33:11]
The pastor suggested seeking godly counsel for financial decisions. Who do you turn to for advice about money? Is there someone you could reach out to for wisdom or accountability as you take your next step? [39:35]

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