Faithful stewardship: Can we afford to be generous in a struggling economy?

The UK economy is rarely out of the news. Rising costs, increasing taxes, and debates over government spending continue to dominate the headlines.

Criticism of the governments handling of economic policy have sparked conversations about how public finances are stewarded on a national scale. Accusations of poor fiscal management and short-term thinking have left many wondering: what does faithful stewardship look like, and how do we navigate these uncertain times if we want to be generous?

For Christians, stewardship is more than a buzzword; it’s a calling. It’s about managing all that God has entrusted to us—our money, time, talents, and even influence. But in a season of widespread economic instability, how do we honour God, serve our local and wider communities, and practically demonstrate what it looks like to be faithful stewards?

What is biblical stewardship?

At its core, stewardship is about responsibility. The Bible reminds us that everything we have belongs to God:

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1).

We are not owners but caretakers of what God has entrusted to us. This includes not only our personal resources but also the collective resources of our communities and nations. Whether we’re managing a household budget or overseeing national finances, the principles of faithful stewardship remain the same - accountability, wisdom, and generosity.

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) is a powerful illustration of stewardship in action. In this parable, a master entrusts his servants with different amounts of money, expecting them to use it wisely. Two of the servants invest and multiply what they’ve been given, while the third buries it out of fear. The master rewards the faithful stewards and reprimands the one who wasted the opportunity.

The lesson is clear: stewardship is about using God’s resources for his purposes. In the process we can multiply blessings for others and avoid fear-driven inaction.

Faithful stewardship is vital for effective leadership

Some critics of the governments’ economic policies have pointed to rising taxes and potential impacts on business investment, questioning whether their approach prioritises short-term fixes over long-term solutions.

While it’s easy to cast judgments like this, the situation raises important questions about the key principles of stewardship, particularly when it comes to managing resources on behalf of others. How do we ensure that our decisions serve the common good, and what can we learn from these public debates?

From a biblical perspective, stewardship isn’t about perfection; it’s about faithfulness. Leaders, whether in government, business, or the church, are called to manage resources with integrity and a focus on serving others. The accusations facing national leaders are a reminder of the weight of responsibility that comes with managing resources, and they challenge us all to examine how we steward what’s been entrusted to us—whether little or a lot.

Three key principles of faithful stewardship

1. Accountability
Stewardship begins with accountability. Just as the servants in the Parable of the Talents were accountable to their master, we are accountable to God for how we use his resources. This accountability extends to every level, from individuals to leaders of nations.

When managing resources, whether personal or public, we must ask:

• Are we acting in a way that honours God?
• Are we making decisions that benefit others and reflect his justice and mercy?

Accountability reminds us that we are not acting for ourselves but as representatives of God’s Kingdom.

2. Wisdom
Faithful stewardship also requires wisdom, which the Bible defines as the seeking and application of God’s truth to practical decisions (James 1:5). 

This involves planning for the future, avoiding waste, and making informed decisions and applies to how we manage our finances, how organisations allocate resources, and how governments develop policies that impact millions.

Practical wisdom might include budgeting, seeking advice, or learning from past mistakes. It also means discerning the difference between needs and wants, ensuring that resources are used for God’s purposes rather than selfish gain.

3. Generosity
Perhaps the most countercultural aspect of biblical stewardship is its focus on generosity. The world often equates stewardship with accumulation—holding onto resources to ensure security. But God’s kingdom operates differently.

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty” (Proverbs 11:24).

Generosity is at the heart of stewardship because it reflects God’s own character. God has given freely to us, and we are called to mirror that generosity in our giving, trusting that he will provide for our needs. This might mean sharing our resources with those in need, supporting Christian ministries, or investing in community initiatives that advance God’s purposes.

Showing generosity is perhaps the most tangible way of demonstrating what faithful stewardship looks like. In a world where money and possessions are often hoarded, giving them away is an opportunity to demonstrate our faith in God to others. When people see that even when the economy appears to be broken, and our finances might be tighter than ever, our response is often to still give generously (c.f. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

Applying stewardship principles today

In times of economic uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Rising costs and financial pressures can make generosity and wise management seem like unattainable goals. But stewardship is as much about faith as it is about action. Here are some practical ways to live out stewardship principles this year:

• Review your finances: Take time to prayerfully review your budget and spending habits. Are you prioritising generosity and wise management, or is fear dictating your decisions?
• Seek accountability: Whether it’s through a financial advisor, a trusted friend, or a church leader, invite accountability into your stewardship journey.
• Give creatively: If finances are tight, consider non-monetary forms of generosity, such as volunteering your time, sharing resources, or offering encouragement to others.
• Pray for wisdom: James 1:5 promises that God gives wisdom to those who ask. Pray for guidance in managing your resources and making decisions that honour Him.

Faithful stewardship isn’t just an individual responsibility; it’s a calling for leaders at every level. The criticisms facing the current government highlight the importance of careful and transparent leadership in stewarding public resources.

As Christians, we can pray for our leaders, asking God to grant them wisdom, integrity, and a heart for justice. At the same time, we can advocate for policies and practices that reflect biblical values, holding leaders accountable while trusting God’s sovereignty over all things.

A call to faithful stewardship

Applying biblical principles of stewardship in uncertain times is no easy task. As we have seen it requires faith, wisdom, and a willingness to trust God with the resources he has given us. But it also offers an opportunity to reflect his generosity, showing the world what it means to live as faithful stewards of his creation.

As others around us are talking about the state of the economy we can commit to practicing stewardship that honours God—whether through our personal finances, our giving, or the way we engage with issues of national resource management. By doing so, we can navigate these challenging times with confidence, knowing that our faithfulness reflects the heart of our generous and loving God.

More on money and the Bible

We have an array of blogs that focus on biblical stewardship and charitable giving, as well as a range of resources to help you think more clearly about money.