The Heart of Stewardship

Money & the Heart

A Sermon on Stewardship, Contentment, and Godly Financial Principles

Part 1: The Heart Problem with Money

An Opening Story: The $20 Moment

When I was around 10 years old, I had about $20 — some birthday money. My siblings were trying to take it, and somehow my money landed on the ground. I was running after it when another hand reached out and grabbed it. It was my dad.

I started clawing at my dad trying to get my money back. He grabbed both my arms, stopped me, shook me a little, and said, "Tanner, what are you doing?" In that moment, I had one of those almost out-of-body experiences — I'm trying to claw my own dad's eyes out over $20. Something is wrong with me.

I have a heart issue. That moment woke me up to the fact that I have a money heart problem. And as Dave Ramsey says, money is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge. You need to know the right stuff about money, but 80% of it is a heart issue. People keep doing unwise things with money because of a heart problem — a behavior issue.

So the question this morning is: How do we fix the heart when it comes to money? Do we have the heart of God when it comes to money?

Does Money Bring Happiness?

We all know the answer is no — but it can feel like yes sometimes, because money can buy things. Augustine of Hippo (400 AD) put it this way:

"Every man, whoever his condition, desires to be happy. There's no man who does not desire this, and each one desires it with such earnestness that he prefers it to all other things... whoever in fact desires other things desires them for this end alone."

In other words: why you ultimately do what you do is because you think it's going to make you happy. And this is huge in understanding why we do what we do with money. Money can get you vacations, homes, cars, jewelry — but are those things going to make you happy?

The Sin of Covetousness

The Bible often uses the term "covetousness" — an excessive desire or craving to want more. And we are the most coveting generation in history, because we are the most advertised-to generation ever. The whole point of advertising is to make you unhappy until you buy their product. Social media pours fuel on that fire: you scroll and see everyone traveling to amazing places, owning nice things, and you think, "I've got nothing."

Proverbs 30 says: "The leech has two daughters: give and give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say 'enough': the grave, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says 'enough.'"

In The Greatest Showman, Jenny Lind sings "Never Enough" — she could have the whole world and it would never be enough. Beware of that posture. Let that song be a wake-up call: is that my heart right now? Am I constantly saying it's never enough?

Jesus says in Luke 12: "Take care, and be on guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Colossians 3 adds: "Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry... On account of these things the wrath of God is coming." This is a big deal.

John Piper says: "Covetousness is desiring something so much that you lose your contentment in God." That hits hard. When we covet, we're essentially saying, "God, you're not enough. Jesus, you're not enough. Salvation is not enough. I just want the stuff."

Contentment as the Antidote

1 Timothy 6 says: "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out. But if we have food and clothing — covering, a roof over our heads — we will be content."

We fight against covetousness with contentment in God. No one has a U-Haul behind the hearse — you can't bring your stuff to heaven. It all stays here.

The passage continues: "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It is not money itself, but the love of money — the craving — that causes some to wander away from the faith and pierce themselves with many pangs."

"But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life."

Notice the active language: flee and fight. This is not a passive attitude. We are in a war for our hearts, and the enemy is trying to lead us away from God. We fight back by saying, "Not today — I am satisfied in Jesus."

Covetousness Is the Root of All Sin

The 10th Commandment is "You shall not covet" — and the 1st Commandment is "You shall have no other gods." These are the bookends of the Ten Commandments, and they are closely linked. Covetousness is idolatry: making something other than God your god.

All the other commandments are about actions, but both the 1st and 10th are about heart posture — who is your God, who are you worshipping? If you covet, you may be willing to lie to save money, steal what your neighbor has, commit adultery for someone else's spouse, or even harm others for what you want. Covetousness is the root of so many types of evil.

Why Does My Heart Covet?

C.S. Lewis offers a beautiful insight: "Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger? There is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim? There is such a thing as water. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

You've been coveting, desiring, buying, and searching — and it's never enough — because it was never supposed to be enough. Only God can satisfy the emptiness we are always struggling to fill.

Jesus says in Matthew 13:44: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Life is a treasure hunt. One day you stumble across the greatest treasure of all — Jesus and the gospel. Everything else becomes rubbish compared to having Christ.

Augustine, writing in his Confessions after his conversion, said: "How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I once feared to lose... You who are the true, the sovereign joy, You who are sweeter than all pleasure, O Lord my God, my light, my wealth, my salvation."

He also said: "At the things of this world, I delight — praise God for them — but turn your love away from them and give it back to their Maker, so that in the things that please you, you may not displease Him." When you enjoy something, thank God for it. Don't covet the gift; let it point you to the Giver.

Part 2: The Principle of Stewardship

An Illustration: Owner and Manager

[A live illustration was used here with two volunteers, Troy and Lee.] Troy represented God the owner. Lee represented us — the manager/banker. Troy deposited money with Lee for safekeeping. But Lee spent it on what he wanted. When Troy came back for his money, it was gone.

The point: Lee had no right to spend the owner's money however he wanted. He was supposed to wait on what the owner wanted. This is the principle of stewardship: God is the owner of all money. Any money we receive, we are simply the manager. We are accountable to the owner for how we use what he has entrusted to us.

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25)

A man going on a journey entrusted his property to his servants — 5 talents to one, 2 to another, 1 to another, each according to his ability. The servant who received one talent buried it and did nothing with it. When the master returned, he called that servant "wicked and slothful": "You ought to have invested my money and at least gotten interest."

The owner constantly looks for a return on his investment. God has given us time, talents, and money — and they are not ours. He wants a return on the gifts he has given us. Are we using our gifts, our time, and our money in a way that honors the King?

Part 3: Seven Principles for Good Stewardship

Principle 1 — Put God First (It's All His)

Constantly ask: what does the owner want to do with this money? Pray. Tithe. Flee from sin. You cannot be a good steward with money while living outside God's ways.

Matthew 6:11 — "Give us this day our daily bread." Talk to God every day about provision.

Proverbs 3:9 — "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty."

Matthew 6:33 — "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Principle 2 — Hate Debt and Get Out of It

Proverbs 22:7 — "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." We are managers accountable to a Master — but how can we do what God wants if our master is MasterCard? Freedom from debt gives us the freedom to obey God.

Debt is anything you owe money on: credit cards, car loans, student loans, personal loans, payment plans, mortgages. If you can't pay cash for it, you can't afford it.

Consider these statistics:

  • 78% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.

  • 34% of Americans have nothing in savings.

  • 1 in 3 Americans making six figures are living paycheck to paycheck.

  • Total American credit card debt is over $1 trillion.

  • Average credit card balance is $6,730.

  • Credit card interest rates are up to 24%.

  • Banks made $165 billion in interest and fees in 2023 alone.

As Dave Ramsey says: "We buy things we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like." You can't wander out of debt — it's very easy to get into and remarkably hard to get out of. The wise person says, "I'm never getting in."

Principle 3 — Work Hard and with Integrity

The opposite of this is laziness, excuses, half-effort, and dishonesty. Proverbs 14:23 — "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty." We can't just sit around and wait for money to come in. We must work hard and take ownership of our responsibilities.

Principle 4 — Live Below Your Means

Have a budget. Your income needs to be higher than your expenses. Proverbs 13:7 — "One pretends to be rich yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor yet has great wealth." If you're willing to look like you're not keeping up with everyone else — drive the older car, live in the smaller house — but have savings, you'll be alright.

Principle 5 — Save and Invest

Proverbs 13:11 — "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it." Slow and steady wins the race. Keep putting into savings, keep investing, keep contributing to retirement.

The power of compound interest is remarkable. When you get out of debt, you flip the equation: instead of interest working against you, it works for you. Imagine the millions of dollars that could fund churches, nonprofits, and missions if we redirected interest payments toward the Kingdom of God.

Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps are a proven framework:

  1. Save $1,000 emergency fund

  2. Pay off all debts (except the house) using the debt snowball

  3. Build a 3–6 month emergency fund

  4–7. Simultaneously: invest 15% in retirement, save for kids' college, pay off home early, and build wealth to give

Financial Peace University is available online for $100, or through our church for $75 (or $50 for those in financial hardship). A new class starts today, March 1st at 3:00 PM. See the QR code in your notes to sign up.

Principle 6 — Be Generous

Is it bad to have money or be rich? No. The issue is whether you're rich toward God. Jesus said in Luke 12: "So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." You can be broke and a fool, or you can be rich and a fool. It's not about how much money you have — it's about who you're living for and the posture of your heart.

1 Timothy 6 says: "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches... They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Generosity is the most fun you can have with money. God is the most generous of all — "For God so loved the world that He gave..." We are made in His image, which means we are made to be generous. The more generous you become, the more you become who God made you to be.

You can't become a generous person later if you don't choose to be generous now. Regardless of your financial situation, some percentage of your money should be set aside for generosity today — or you'll never do it tomorrow.

Principle 7 — Men, Lead Your Families Financially

Ephesians 5 calls husbands to love their wives as their own bodies — to nourish and cherish them as Christ does the church. Nourishing means providing for your wife and family: emotionally, spiritually, and financially.

This doesn't mean a wife can't work or contribute financially — Proverbs 31 shows that woman was making serious financial moves. But husbands should feel the weight and responsibility: "I am going to take care of my wife and family. I will make sure the ends meet."

As Charlie Kirk says: "Men, you do not spend a dime on video games, sports, or things for yourself until your wife does not have to worry about finances. You come last in the family when it comes to finances. That is your job."

Take initiative: set a budget meeting, go through Financial Peace University together, make sure your household is financially healthy. "Live like no one else, so later you can live and give like no one else." — Dave Ramsey

Closing: Come Back to the Gospel

You cannot serve both God and money. We must put God first. If you are struggling with a coveting heart — if you're struggling to do it God's way — come back to the gospel and remember all that Jesus has done for you.

We have a receipt of debt that's been paid: sin, shame, pain, past mistakes, rejection, loneliness, slavery to sin, spiritual death — all of it paid in full by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23 — "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Jesus has paid it all. Let Him be the treasure that satisfies your soul. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Let Jesus be your everything — and then let's go and be good stewards for Him.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank you for your love and your generosity in sending your Son. Lord, please help us with our coveting hearts. Help us to guard against greed. Help us to be good stewards and to please you with the way we live and use our finances. Help husbands and wives to be unified in building your Kingdom and honoring you. Give us the wisdom and the strength to do it. In Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen.

Live by Faith,

Tanner Trephan