Article by: Stephen Virkler
The essence of biblical stewardship is understood best when we realize that all that we own is not truly ours, but the Lord’s. We are each called to honor the Lord with all of the resources to which we have been entrusted. We as believers can be responsible only for that which we have been given. Many of us are aware of what we are responsible for each day—whether it be our families, our finances, our time, or our work. But what about those who have been entrusted with stewarding us, caring for, and being responsible for us as individuals and citizens?
Can We Influence The Stewardship of our Leaders?
Do we have any control over how others use their responsibility of stewardship—especially those whose stewardship decisions have an impact on our own lives and families? Perhaps not directly, but we can make a difference with one of the most important resources we do have. How we use our time is important to the Lord. As 1 Corinthians 10:23 states, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” One of the best uses of our time as believers is spending time in prayer, and there are numerous verses in God’s Word about the importance of praying for our leaders.
Biblical Commands to Pray for Leaders
Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:1–2 that we are to pray “for kings and all those in authority,” with the end result being that we may live “in all godliness and holiness.” We as believers are urged in Psalm 72 to pray for a king (or ruler) that will bring justice and righteousness to its land, which will ensure that it enjoys prosperity and peace. In Romans 13, Paul devotes an entire passage to remind us that we are to submit to those in authority and recognize that this responsibility is given to them by God. Scripture clearly states that whoever is in authority—as leaders in our country and our communities—have a direct impact on our lives, and by result, can affect how we live our lives as stewards of all that God has given us.
National Leaders as Stewards
Leaders in our national government often can have a direct impact on us. One can look no further than the recent headlines of the past few months to see this reality. The decision by President Trump to impose tariffs in early April resulted in a great deal of volatility in the U.S. stock market in the ensuing days and weeks, and many Americans felt that impact directly when they looked at their 401(k) plans and other investments. The President’s subsequent decision the following month to negotiate with China a rollback on tariffs on that country resulted in a surge in the U.S. stock market, with the S&P 500 closing at its highest level in months. Presidents and national leaders are stewards of our country and its citizens, and they should be making decisions that they believe are in the best interests of our nation—both in the present and in the future.
Stewardship and Public Policy
Other examples of how our stewards in government can impact our own stewardship include tax, monetary, and interest rate policies. Often these policies that are instituted by our federal government affect how much money we have left over in our pockets to give to our local churches, pay our bills, support missionaries, or help our fellow brothers and sisters in need. We are called by God to pray for all in authority, not just those with whom we agree. While this may be a challenge for some, we must remember that God calls us to do so and that all of our leaders desperately need our prayers as they make decisions that impact us and our families.
State and Local Leaders’ Impact
Leaders in our state and local governments can often have just as much direct impact—if not more—on our everyday lives as citizens and biblical stewards. We are called by God to raise our families in a way that honors Him. Psalm 127:3 states that “Children are a heritage from the Lord” and are the most precious resources with which we have been entrusted. Decisions made by our local school boards affect what our children learn in public schools, and many times state and local leaders institute policies that make it easier to homeschool our children. There are approximately 3 million Christian homeschoolers in the United States, and that number continues to grow as more and more states have policies that are friendly to those who choose to educate their children at home and in a way that honors the Lord. The stewardship of our families is often directly impacted by those who steward us.
Local Policies and Daily Life
Policies implemented by our local, state, and community leaders in healthcare, public safety, and community development can all have an effect on how we raise our families and also care for them in their time of need. We are all stewards of our families, and we must remember to lift up in prayer those who may empower us to fill those roles in a more effective way.
Church Leaders as Stewards
We are also stewarded by the leaders of our local churches, which includes our pastors, elders, and deacons. They have been entrusted with shepherding us spiritually. Our prayers should be that they are enabled to powerfully and effectively carry out His will for the body of Christ and the ministries of the local church, thereby building and strengthening the Kingdom of God. Our local church leaders play a key role in the spiritual growth and building up of the flock, as well as the allocation of resources within the church, including areas such as missions, church ministries, and maintenance. As we read in 1 Peter 5:2–3, our church leaders are entrusted with “exercising oversight” and “being examples to the flock.” They are stewarding us so that we can effectively shepherd and steward our families for the glory of God.
Faithful Stewards—Ourselves and Others
We read in 1 Corinthians 4:2 that “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” We have been entrusted with many resources: our families, our finances, our talents, and our time included. Let us remember to use that precious time that is given to us to pray for guidance from the Lord that we may be found faithful as stewards. We must also remember to pray for those who have been entrusted with stewarding us and our families—that they may be found faithful with their responsibilities as well.
