Discovering the Universal Principles of Stewardship on the Job Fit Matters Podcast
I recently had the privilege of joining Tommy Thomas on the Job Fit Matters podcast to discuss my new book “Intentional Living and Giving” and explore the timeless, transcendent principles of biblical stewardship.
Stewardship Originated in the Middle East, Not the West
One of the key points I emphasized in our conversation is that stewardship is not a Western concept. The core principles come straight out of the Old and New Testament scriptures which emerged from the Middle East. Stewardship is truly a universal biblical truth that transcends any particular culture. Over my decades of working with ministries and nonprofits around the globe, I’ve seen these principles embraced and bearing fruit in places as diverse as Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Stewardship is not constrained by geography, economics, or tradition when understood and applied well.
Witnessing Stewardship Flourish in Spain
A powerful example of the borderless nature of stewardship is what I witnessed recently at a conference in Spain. Ministry leaders from over 20 European countries gathered to learn how to better embrace fundraising and development practices to sustain their important work. Many ministries in Spain itself have undergone a dramatic shift in recent years. Whereas they used to rely heavily on financial support from the United States, a new generation of leaders committed to being funded 100% locally. Today, most Spanish ministries raise nearly all their support within their own cultural context. This shows that stewardship can take deep root and thrive in any soil when cultivated intentionally.
Helping Others Find Freedom and Fulfillment Through Stewardship
My motivation for writing “Intentional Living and Giving” is to help people across the world discover the joy and abundance that flows from embracing a lifestyle of biblical stewardship. The book dedicates the first 9 chapters to unpacking the theology of stewardship. The final 9 chapters then provide practical guidance for applying those principles.
Ultimately, my desire is to see people set free from confusion and fear to experience the contentment that comes from aligning their lives with God’s purposes for them as stewards. As I shared with Tommy:”If more people understood how they could practically implement stewardship in their life, they could go from confusion and fear to thriving and abundant contentment.
An Invitation to Learn More
I encourage you to listen to the full Job Fit Matters podcast episode to dive deeper into this important topic of stewardship. And I invite you to get a copy of “Intentional Living and Giving” to discover how to embrace these life-giving principles in your own journey.My hope is that the timeless, universal message of biblical stewardship will continue to transform lives and communities around the world. Because stewardship is not a Western concept – it is a kingdom concept for all people everywhere.