Kingdom Finances – Part 2: From Ownership to Stewardship

This week’s message presses deeper into the heart of Kingdom finances by 

confronting a subtle but dangerous mindset: treating giving as a 

transaction instead of a relationship. When generosity is reduced to a 

formula - “I give my 10%, so God must bless me” — it becomes legalistic, 

lifeless, and self-focused. God is not interested in contracts; He is 

after hearts. As a loving Father, He refuses to empower selfishness, 

because He desires to uproot it, not reward it.

Many of us have sincerely declared Jesus as Lord. We sing, “You can have 

it all” and “All to Jesus I surrender.” Yet finances often become the 

exception. We may offer God a portion while quietly claiming ownership 

of the rest. This creates a two-tiered faith...surrendered in word, 

guarded in practice. But Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 are clear. He doesn’t 

say "if" we give, pray, and fast - He says "when". These are expected 

rhythms of discipleship, not optional extras.

When money is viewed as “ours,” it easily becomes an idol. Idolatry, at 

its core, is giving something other than God our trust, dependence, and 

devotion. Jesus draws a hard line: “You cannot serve both God and 

money.” Loving money eventually turns our hearts away from God, while 

loving God exposes money for what it is - temporary, distracting, and 

incapable of providing true security.

This is where stewardship comes into focus. Owners ask, “How do I 

protect what’s mine?” Stewards ask, “Lord, how do You want this used?” 

Sons and daughters find their security in their Father, not their 

finances. Scripture reminds us that we are not slaves striving for 

provision, but heirs and co-heirs with Christ, invited to live from 

Heaven’s economy, not a mindset of lack.

Jesus’ parable of the talents makes this unmistakably clear. Everything 

entrusted to the servants belonged to the master. Two invested what they 

were given and were rewarded, not for results alone, but for 

faithfulness. The third servant, ruled by fear, buried his talent and 

was judged accordingly. The issue was not ability, but belief. Faith 

produces fruit; fear produces passivity.

Ultimately, Kingdom finances are not about amounts, formulas, or 

performance. They are about faith, trust, and surrender. Everything 

belongs to the Master. Faithfulness matters more than comparison. Fear 

hinders fruitfulness. Increase flows through faithful stewardship. And 

accountability is real.

True financial peace doesn’t come from having “enough.” It comes from 

knowing the Father who promises, “I will take care of you.” May we live 

as stewards, not owners, anchored in the confidence that no one can take 

better care of us than our Father.