Stewarding Wealth: Trusting God Over Money

Today’s focus is on the heart’s relationship with money and the wisdom found in using wealth God’s way. All the possessions and trophies we accumulate in this life will eventually fade, and what truly matters is our connection to God. Money itself is neutral; it’s neither good nor evil. What God cares about is where our heart is—whether we are clinging to our possessions or to Him. The songs we sang remind us to lay down our trophies and fix our eyes on Jesus, letting the things of earth grow dim in the light of His glory.

Money is a tool, not a master. In our culture, credit cards and debt are everywhere, but we must use these tools wisely and avoid letting them control us. When we fall into debt, it can tempt us to compromise our honesty and integrity. Instead, we are called to be diligent planners and good stewards. Proverbs teaches that the plans of the diligent lead to abundance, while haste leads to poverty. A budget is not just a restriction; it’s a plan for abundance and generosity. Like the ant in Proverbs, we are to prepare and save, not just for ourselves, but so we can live and give generously.

We see in Scripture that wealth itself is not condemned—Abraham, Job, and Joseph were all wealthy and faithful. The issue is not how much we have, but how we use it and where our trust lies. Planning and saving are wise, but hoarding out of fear or trusting in wealth for security is not. Generosity is a key part of God’s design for our finances. Giving is not about getting more in return, but about reflecting God’s heart. The story of the widow’s mite shows that God values the heart behind the gift, not the amount.

Ultimately, we are called to trust God above wealth. Proverbs warns that those who trust in riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish. We ask God to give us what we need, neither poverty nor riches, but daily bread. Money reveals our heart—where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. Let’s use money God’s way, with honesty, diligence, generosity, and trust in Him, so that our lives glorify Him and bless others.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The true measure of our relationship with money is the orientation of our heart. Money is neutral, but our attachment to it can either draw us closer to God or pull us away. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the allure of earthly possessions fades, and we are free to pursue what truly matters. [44:03]
• 2. Money is a tool, not a master. When we allow debt or the pursuit of wealth to control us, we risk compromising our integrity and becoming desperate. Wise stewardship means using money deliberately, with honesty and balance, so that it serves God’s purposes rather than enslaving us. [55:50]
• 3. Planning and saving are acts of wisdom and stewardship, not just self-preservation. Like the ant in Proverbs and Joseph in Egypt, preparing for the future allows us to weather life’s storms and be generous when opportunities arise. A budget is not a punishment, but a pathway to abundance and peace. [60:41]
• 4. Generosity is not about the amount given, but the heart behind the gift. God is not a cosmic vending machine; giving to get is not true generosity. When we give out of love and trust in God, we become richer in spirit, experiencing a deeper joy and freedom that money alone cannot provide. [68:30]
• 5. Trusting in wealth leads to anxiety and disappointment, but trusting in God brings flourishing and contentment. We are called to ask God for what we need, not to hoard or chase after riches. Money reveals where our trust lies—let’s use it to glorify God, knowing that our ultimate security is in Him, not in our bank accounts. [73:40]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [42:30] - Introduction: God’s Timing and the Heart of Wealth
• [44:03] - Earthly Possessions and the Heart’s Focus
• [54:11] - Money as a Tool, Not a Master
• [55:50] - The Dangers of Debt and the Call to Honesty
• [57:59] - Planning, Saving, and Biblical Stewardship
• [60:41] - Wisdom from Proverbs: The Ant and the Grasshopper
• [63:30] - Biblical Examples of Wealth and Stewardship
• [65:45] - The Envelope System and Practical Budgeting
• [68:30] - Generosity: Giving with the Right Heart
• [70:55] - The Widow’s Mite and True Generosity
• [73:40] - Trusting God Above Wealth
• [75:30] - Money Reveals the Heart
• [78:52] - Financial Peace University Reflections
• [80:00] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV) — > For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

2. Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)
> The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

3. Mark 12:41–44 (ESV)
> And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Timothy 6:10, what is the real danger when it comes to money? Is it money itself, or something else? ([44:03])
2. In Proverbs 21:5, what is the result of being diligent and planning ahead with our resources? What happens to those who are hasty? ([55:50])
3. In the story of the widow’s mite (Mark 12:41–44), what did Jesus notice about the widow’s offering compared to the others? ([01:08:30])
4. The sermon mentioned several wealthy people in the Bible, like Abraham, Job, and Joseph. What do these examples show us about wealth and faithfulness? ([57:59])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Bible warns so strongly about the love of money, rather than money itself? How can someone tell if their heart is attached to money instead of God? ([44:03])
2. The sermon described budgeting and planning as acts of wisdom, not punishment. How does having a plan for your money help you be more generous and less anxious? ([55:50])
3. Jesus praised the widow for giving out of her poverty. What does this teach us about God’s view of generosity and the heart behind our giving? ([01:08:30])
4. The sermon talked about how trusting in wealth can lead to anxiety and disappointment, but trusting in God brings contentment. Why is it so easy to put our trust in money, and what are the dangers of doing so? ([01:13:40])

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “Money is a tool, not a master.” Are there ways in your life where money or debt feels like it’s controlling you? What is one step you could take this week to put money back in its proper place? ([54:11])
2. Have you ever avoided making a budget because it felt restrictive? How might thinking of a budget as a “plan for abundance and generosity” change your attitude toward it? ([55:50])
3. The story of the widow’s mite shows that God cares about the heart behind our giving, not the amount. When you give—whether to church, charity, or someone in need—what motivates you? Is there a way you could give more from the heart? ([01:08:30])
4. The sermon mentioned that planning and saving are wise, but hoarding out of fear is not. How can you tell the difference between wise saving and fearful hoarding in your own life? ([57:59])
5. Proverbs 11:28 says, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” What are some practical ways you can shift your trust from money to God this month? ([01:13:40])
6. The pastor shared about growing up with a mindset of saving out of fear. Have you inherited any attitudes about money from your family that you want to keep or change? ([01:08:30])
7. Is there a specific area where you feel called to be more generous, but fear or uncertainty is holding you back? What would it look like to trust God and take a step of faith in that area this week? ([01:13:40])