Taking a Biblical approach to giving

No matter your personal beliefs or reasons for giving, the Christian Community Foundation is here to support you. But our foundation is rooted in the concept of Biblical Stewardship – and this guides our decisions, recommendations and principles as a foundation. 

What is Biblical stewardship?

Before we can explain Biblical stewardship, we must start by defining stewardship. A steward is a person who manages properties or materials owned by someone else, and stewardship is the management of said assets. If someone asks you to watch their dog while they are on vacation, you are stewarding the dog until the owner returns. 

Now, what is Biblical Stewardship? Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth.” Deuteronomy 10:14 further proclaims, “To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.” We believe that sets a precedent. Everything on Earth is God-breathed and owned by Him. We apply that directly to our lives – believing that any assets, properties or possessions we acquire on Earth are a gift from God for us to manage in a way that honors him. 

When you apply Biblical stewardship to finances, we have clear directives from Jesus throughout the New Testament. Jesus calls for his people to give generously, sacrificially and joyfully according to the resources we’ve been given. We believe that Biblical Stewardship is a mandate, not a choice. When we give of our possessions, talents and resources and invest them in people, ministries and organizations furthering the Gospel, we are investing God’s resources into His work. This is Kingdom-minded giving. 

How can I get there?

Giving generously, sacrificially and joyfully can be challenging. Applying two of the three concepts would be much easier, certainly! It goes against our human nature to give away more than we might feel comfortable giving. 

To help shift your mindset toward Biblical Stewardship, start by praying. Thank God for the resources He’s entrusted to you. You can pray for opportunities to invest your resources in causes that further his Kingdom. Keep an ear out for opportunities as they present themselves. 

Relationally, talk with generous people in your life, especially those that share your faith. Ask questions about their giving journey, and seek mentorship advice on how to become a generous, sacrificial and joyful giver. The greatest thing about joyful giving is that it is contagious. A conversation with a mentor might be the boost you need to start your giving journey. 

Practically, investing money in a donor-advised fund is an excellent way to reserve funds for giving. When you invest in a donor-advised fund, that money must be given to a philanthropic organization and cannot be withdrawn for any other reason. Even if you don’t have a cause or organization on your heart right now, you can still invest resources sacrificially, generously and joyfully into your donor-advised fund and then request a grant when your heart is touched.