EP 54: Biblical Stewardship - Jonathan Lewis | Impactus Podcast

Our guest is Jonathan Lewis, a Financial Security Advisor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the president of Eastport Financial Group Inc. He authored two books, Deep Water (2018) and More Than Money (2021). His More than Money podcast speaks to the stewardship of all our assets, from our time and talent to our agency, purpose, and responsibility. He is the dedicated husband to Sara Lewis and the father of two beautiful daughters. From his home in Nova Scotia, Canada, Jonathan's vibrant drive to further his faith, family, community, philanthropy, and entrepreneurialism has been constant throughout his life.  What is biblical stewardship?  If we are the steward of something, that presupposes that we are not the owner of it.   In Matthew 25, we read a parable from Jesus about a man going on a journey. He called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. When he returns, he asks them to give an account of what they did with what they had been given.   The one who stewarded well was praised and given more. The one is acted out of fear and did not act rejected by the master.  Ultimately, we are only responsible for what we do with what we have been given. Regardless of how much you make or what you do for a living, we have all been given much.  In 2 Corinthians 9, we are told that "God loves a cheerful giver." A cheerful giver is a person whose heart and hope are not attached to what they are giving but instead sees everything they have as a gift from God for our stewardship.  Too much stuff  We are constantly bombarded with stuff. We all recognize we have too much stuff and feel pressured to get more things. It is like gluttony on steroids in our society today.  When is the best time to start being a good steward?  Right now! It has nothing to do with what God has given you, how little or how much. Stewardship recognizes that God has given you skills, abilities, relationships, talents, and money.  He expects you to be a good steward of whatever you have right now.  Practical advice for couples.  First, realize that there are two of you. If you want to go fast, go alone. To finish the marathon, you must learn to run at the same speed together.   Second, consume good biblical resources together. Read, listen and share with each other.  Third, assess the areas of your life you are responsible for stewarding, including your money, time, and health.  Train yourself now with all that God has entrusted you with. This way, as you are entrusted with more, you will have developed the disciple of stewardship in your life.   Make a list of everything God has entrusted you with. Is there anything on your list you can steward better to the glory of God?  Items for Show Notes:   Book: More Than Money: One man's journey to giving beyond the tithe: https://amzn.to/3RLpJdk    Jonathan's Foundation: https://www.jdwlfoundation.org/    Generous Giving - https://generousgiving.org   MoneyWise Radio with Rob West https://www.moneywise.org/show     Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlewisdeepwater    Previous podcast Jonathan did with us: Overcoming the Hole Left by Fatherlessness: https://www.impactus.org/podcast/facing-fatherlessness-for-men-with-jonathan-lewis/  As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commission from qualifying purchases on Amazon.ca. Learn more.