Jul. 12, 2006 - What Is Stewardship?

Stewardship is an important financial concept for all of us to learn.  It is especially important that children learn this principle early on so that they develop a healthy view of money and how to handle it later in life.

We know from the Bible that God created everything and He has rightful ownership to it all.  In this sense, humans don’t own anything.  All that we have is on loan from God.  We may possess things, but that is very different than having actual ownership.  God has placed His creation in our care – including money – and we are His stewards.

A steward is simply someone who manages another person’s property, business activities, or personal affairs.

Stewards are referred to throughout the Bible.  The concept of stewardship is manifested through many roles – steward, overseer, slave, officer, minister, etc.  The scope of stewardship may range from a modest household to a mighty nation.  Joseph, for example, was a steward over Potiphar’s household (Genesis 39:4) and later for Pharaoh over the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:41).

No matter the circumstances or specific responsibilities, stewardship is characterized by certain principles across the board.  A steward:

• Is subordinate to the master  (Genesis 41:40)
• Takes direction from the master  (Luke 19:13)
• Possesses the authority granted by the master  (Genesis 41:42, 44)
• Is tasked with certain responsibilities by the master (Luke 19:13; Genesis 41:48-49)
• Looks out for the master’s interests  (Matthew 25:27)
• Takes action on behalf of the master  (Matthew 25:21, 23)
• Makes decisions on behalf of the master  (Matthew 25:16-17)
• Produces good results for the master  (Matthew 25:20, 22)
• Is accountable for results to the master  (Luke 16:2)

Notice that these principles all tie back to the master.

Everything is centered on the master.

I don’t know about you, but at this point my selfish nature wants to know, “What about ME?  If everything is focused on the master, then who is looking out for my interests?”  God provides a ready answer to quiet our hearts.  When we truly act like the stewards that we are, and serve the Master, then He takes care of us. 

“He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit; and he who cares for his master will be honored.”  Proverbs 27:18

In God’s economy, the steward is rewarded on the basis of faithfulness to the master.  Throughout Scripture the faithful servant is always in good hands and rewarded accordingly.  Only unfaithful servants need worry.  The humble are exalted; the proud laid low.  The faithful are rewarded; the unfaithful plundered.  The selfless receive; the selfish suffer want.  So much for “ME!”

God’s ownership of money and our stewardship of His money is a critical concept to grasp.  Our handling of this concept has practical applications on earth and implications for eternity.

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.  If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous riches, who will entrust the true riches to you?  And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?  No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and riches.”  (Luke 16:10-13)

We need to settle, once and for all, just who is in charge of the money in our possession.  Then, we must be willing to align our financial priorities on this basis to please our master – either God or riches.  I trust you have chosen the Lord!

Jun. 29, 2006 - Paying Children for Chores

Here is an email from Hilary about paying children for chores around the house.  She is asking a very common question that every parent wrestles with at some point.

"I am considering implementing a change in our chores where we would pay for some chores. Have you done any study in the Bible for this and have any comments?  I know some passages of Scripture that would advocate giving the worker his pay for work, and I hope that this would give them a way to earn some money and learn how to budget.  Our kids are 11, 9, 7 and 5.  Right now we don't give them an allowance, but they earn money rarely if they do some special chore (but we don't have these come up often, so they don't earn much).  They tithe on the money they earn and that they receive, and they save I think 40% or so of the rest of the money.  The type of chores I was thinking of would be the ones that they do now -- daily flooring, dishes, bathrooms, laundry etc.  I'd still make sure they did some other chores just because we're a family."

I commend Hilary for having her children tithe on their earnings and for having them save a large portion of it.  Good job!

Now let's see if we can help her by having everyone leave comments about how they would handle this situation.  Don't get side-tracked on the issue of paying children "allowances."  That's a different subject that we'll leave that for another day.  Focus only on paying children to do chores around the house.

Below are some of my thoughts to get the ball rolling.

1. I generally do not advocate paying children for household chores.  Household chores are a part of life. Children may as well learn early on that no one gets paid to clean up after themselves.  The exception is that I think it's okay to pay children to do work that you would otherwise be paying someone else to do.  For example, you can pay your children to replace your cleaning service, lawn service, etc. IF you normally hire someone else to do that work anyway.

 

2. I think the Scripture Hilary is referring to about the worker being worthy of his wages is found in Luke 10:7.  I don't see this as applying to children doing household chores.  This is more appropriate when hiring someone to do a job.  As I stated in #1, you might actually hire your children in some circumstances and they would be worthy of their wages provided they do a good job.  Are there other verses that might apply?  

 

3. I think it is much more beneficial, however, to have children seek their wages by doing chores for others -- neighbors, friends, etc.  This might include any number of tasks from house cleaning, lawn mowing, yard work, pulling weeds, snow shoveling, raking leaves, etc.  Of course it all depends on the child's age, skills, and the nature of the work.  I have found that neighbors love to oblige industrious, hard-working children who are willing to do good work.  They'll hire them just to encourage them.

 

4. If you can't find anyone who will hire your children, then try having them volunteer to do chores for someone in need who can't afford to pay.  For example, maybe you have an elderly neighbor who can't handle certain tasks.  Volunteer your children to do those tasks and you pay them yourself.  Your neighbor will be blessed while your children get to practice their skills, earn a little money from you, and feel a sense of accomplishment.  Sure, you're out some cash but you were going to pay them anyway to work for you so it's no real loss.

Those are my initial thoughts.  What do you have to say?  Let's help Hilary sort this out and see what we can learn together from each other.  Thanks in advance for your contributions!

Related Tags: paying children for chores, paying children, allowances, paying an allowance, jobs for children