We often view stewardship with a limited scope. It’s about spending money, right? That’s it? As long as we stay under budget, spend wisely, and don’t go off buying a private plane, we are considered a pretty successful steward. However, over the past 20 years, I’ve realized that stewardship encompasses more than financial management. Pastoral stewardship extends to various aspects and areas of life and ministry.
Let’s explore the concept of stewardship through the perspective of a pastor or leader, focusing on Matthew 25:14-28. It’s a long one, so we encourage you to go give it a read! Here is the quick summary:
In this parable, a man entrusts different amounts of silver to his servants before leaving on a journey. Upon his return, the servants are held accountable for their use of the money. The first two servants invested and doubled their amounts, receiving commendation from their master. However, the third servant, out of fear, buried the money and faced severe consequences.
Summary of Matthew 25:14-28
Let’s focus on that last part. The third person, who faced severe repercussions, allowed fear to freeze him. The servant explained, “I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth.” His decision led to a stern correction.
Fear often hinders us, causing inaction or poor decision-making. As a pastor, our fears are often rooted in insecurities about calling, knowledge, and ability to lead. We are afraid we will mess it up, so what do we do? Usually nothing. Like the foolish servant, we allow fear to freeze us. To overcome this, we must learn to surrender our insecurities and fears to God. Because he always adds interest to our kingdom investments. We should all strive to be the servant who invests and strives for a double return, rather than the one paralyzed by fear with a bag of money in the ground.
So here is the million-dollar question. What areas do you steward in ministry? And how do we steward them well? To borrow language from Jesus, these are your spiritual bags of silver.
Money
Yes, let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. As pastors or leaders, we have a crucial responsibility to steward finances wisely. When people contribute their tithes and offerings, they trust us to make prudent financial decisions on behalf of the church. While this responsibility can be stressful, we often have fail-safes in place, such as boards and financial oversight, to ensure accountability and wise management. If you don’t have accountability in this department, your first move is to make that happen immediately.
Influence
Our role as pastors and leaders extends far beyond finances and budgets. We also carry the weight of influence. Each week, we stand on stage to present what we believe God put on our heart for His people. These people are your flock, a group that God specifically entrusted to you. To make this practical for our modern world, all pastors are social media influencers without even realizing it. The things you post carry significant weight, be sure you post with prudence.
In a world where faith can easily be swayed and a simple online search can shake someone’s beliefs, it is crucial that we exercise wisdom in our words and actions online. We must be mindful of the impact our influence can have on others, especially when so many eyes are watching.
Resources
Stewardship involves more than just money and influence—it encompasses all the resources at our disposal. As a church, I am sure God has provided you with a wealth of resources, which may extend beyond your immediate church community. It is essential to recognize and utilize these resources wisely. For instance, if you have unused facilities, we should consider how you can benefit the larger community. Perhaps you can open your doors for after-school programs, invite the community to a pot-luck dinner, partner with food distribution programs, or allow recovery groups to utilize your classrooms. Having a facility is a big responsibility. Be sure you don’t just bury i in the sand until the next service rolls around. Fear should not hinder us from stewarding resources in innovative and generous ways.
People
One aspect of stewardship often overlooked is our responsibility towards the people entrusted to our care. Whether they are regular attendees, volunteers, staff members, or occasional visitors, we must take intentional care of them. Each person who looks to you as their pastor, leader, or director requires your diligent stewardship. This involves nurturing their growth, addressing their needs, and correcting them when necessary. Sometimes, it means having difficult conversations or making tough decisions, such as inviting someone into leadership or allowing others to rest and recharge. Do you notice the same people doing all the volunteering? Reach out and steward that relationship well. Why? Because burnout is real and your heart should reveal your care for your community.
Stewardship is a multilayered commitment that goes beyond financial management. It encompasses the wise handling of money, the intentional use of influence, the strategic utilization of resources, and the careful shepherding of people. As we embrace these aspects of stewardship, we demonstrate our faithfulness to God and fulfill our calling as pastors and leaders.
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THIS BLOG CONTAINS LEADERSHIP MATERIAL FROM THE PASTOR CIRCLE. WHAT IS THE PASTOR CIRCLE?
We recently asked ourselves, “how can we serve pastors more personally?” The Pastor Circle is the answer.
It’s a virtual small group community of pastors who understand what you’re going through and want to offer you godly support and guidance. We meet on Zoom once a month to listen to a short devotional and topic introduction, followed by a small group discussion. We hope to see you there next month! Click here to learn more.