Generous Stewardship

by Rob Spink May 14, 2010

Series: Stories

Categories: Stories

Many of us are tempted to limit our generosity because we feel we simply don't have any spare money.  Meanwhile, our whole culture is pushing us towards the paradoxically twin idols of selfish spending on toys and of 'financial security' — whatever that means these days!

To help us think about how to use money for Jesus's glory, we held a seminar on a Saturday afternoon.  We started by looking at some Biblical principles, then asked everyone to come up with suggestions of ways to free up money for generosity.

We looked at Genesis 1:26–30 and 2:8–17.  We saw how God calls us to be his regents — to rule creation as his stewards. 'Our' possessions are not ultimately ours, but God's!  We discussed, then, how we should dispose of the owner's goods in a way that reflected his character and priorities.

This led to a study of 2 Corinthians 8:1–15 and 9:6–15.  We dwelt on God's grace to us in Christ, and then asked what the pastoral implications might be for someone who doesn't give generously to church because:

  • they feel they have no spare money

  • they worry about having enough for themselves and their family

  • they already give 10% away

  • they give money to other good Christian causes

  • they want to be able to provide hospitality

  • they say, "It’s my money!"

Finally, we came up with a range of concrete suggestions for using money.  Some focused on how to stop wasting money (and so free it up for generosity); others thought about positive ways to be a blessing with these newly freed-up funds.  A number of these are posted below:

Organizing your money

  • Understand the commercial needs of your community. How can you use your money to bless those around you?

  • Make a budget

  • Set up separate bank account for standing orders and other one-off giving, so you can set a 'baseline' amount to give away — you can continue to give extra out of your current account!

  • Or for those who prefer cash, draw out money out after payday and put it in envelopes (bills, giving, etc.)

  • When you get a pay rise, change your standing order so that the proportion of your giving doesn’t decrease

  • If purchasing a want-to-have item, think about it for a couple of days first.  And if you want to make a luxury purchase, consider giving an equivalent amount to the poor

  • If you don’t need to do paid work 5 days a week, consider giving your time to unpaid work

  • Stop using credit cards for a while and spend cash

  • Get Martin Lewis’s weekly e-mail. Lots of offers, advice, best deals for phones, mortgages, and utilities. There are also 2-for-1 offers, downloadable budget templates and more!

Transport

  • Ask yourself whether you need to take the car — or if you need a car at all

  • When buying long journey train tickets (e.g. Sheffield–Plymouth), it’s often cheaper to split the journey up, e.g. Sheffield–Birmingham, Birmingham–Plymouth

  • Use public transport or cycle

Shopping and food

  • When thinking about where and when to shop, consider benefits other than just the price: can you be a blessing to local shopkeepers? Can you build relationships with them (and other shoppers)?

  • Sign up to cashback sites like QUIDCO. They give money back when you buy items like insurance, presents, etc.

  • Look back on your filled trolley and take out anything that you don’t really need

  • Add up as you place food in your trolley

  • Only take cash to shop to help you stick to a budget

  • Look at the specials or the cabinet for reduced-price food and set your week’s menu by what’s there

  • Buy Passata, not pre-made pasta sauce. Or learn to make sauces from scratch!

  • Check out Lidl, Aldi, Netto, markets and warehouses, as well as buying locally

  • Take a packed lunch to work

  • Cut out snacks between meals — crisps, sweets, biscuits, etc. You will save money and be healthier

  • Grow your own fruit and veg

  • Avoid impulse buys. Make a shopping list

Household

  • Turn down the thermostat

  • Switch off lights, appliances, computer modems etc. when not in use — don’t just leave them on standby

  • Buy second-hand clothes and furniture. Support local charity shops

  • People offer things for free that they don’t use on sites like Gumtree and Freecycle

  • Buy some clippers and sharp scissors for DIY haircuts

  • If the oven is on, use it well. Cook multiple meals or cakes and freeze them

  • Don't believe the packets when they tell you to use x quantity of product (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, washing powder, dishwasher powder etc.). You can do trial and error until you get what's right for you

  • Have nights in and invite your friends or family round instead of going down the pub

  • Check out your local college for cut-price beauty treatments, haircuts etc.

  • Try camping for your holiday

  • Use the library for free internet (or share with friends)