Kingdom Stewardship by Tony Evans

“Kingdom Stewardship” by Tony Evans is widely recognized for its insightful blend of Christian teachings and practical financial wisdom. The book is acclaimed for its ability to merge spiritual and material stewardship, guiding readers to use their resources in a way that honors God and maximizes their impact.

Book Details:

Title: Kingdom Stewardship
Author: Tony Evans
Genre: Christian Literature, Personal Finance
Publication Date: 2021
ISBN: 978-1589979536

About the Author:

Dr. Tony Evans is a respected Christian pastor, speaker, and author known for his practical approach to applying faith to everyday life. His expertise in theology and deep understanding of scripture make his insights particularly compelling for those looking to integrate their faith with their financial and life decisions.

Summary of “Kingdom Stewardship”:

“Kingdom Stewardship” presents a transformative view of personal finance and resource management through a Christian lens. Tony Evans teaches readers how to align their financial practices with their faith, emphasizing the concept of stewardship as a form of worship. The book delves into topics like budgeting, investing, and giving, all framed within a biblical context.

Selected Passages Highlighted in the Book:

Many people talk about “legacy” when someone leaves this earth. Legacy simply refers to what a person has left behind. But the true legacy involves that which is sent ahead. (7)
What you do with the time, talents, and treasures God has given you is up to you. The choices you make. The decisions on how you spend your days. The focus of your mind. Even the thoughts you think. That is all up to you. And because it is all up to you, you have a unique ability to directly influence the rate of your own spiritual progress. (10)
Thus, kingdom stewards can be defined as believers who faithfully oversee the protection and expansion of the assets God has entrusted to them to manage on His behalf.
Stewardship always involves both protecting and expanding the assets of another. (13)
Decisions based on logic aren’t always the correct decisions in a spiritual environment, which is the nature of the environment we live in. (17)
There are three distinct areas down here He’s given us to steward…. They are time, talents, and treasures. (19) [See Ephesians 5:15-17 for “time.”]
The Bible declares that your greatest Christian stewardship is not seen in what you get from God but in what God, through you, can give to others as you serve Him in alignment with your gifts. (22)
He is asking each of us to manage things according to His wisdom, by His rules, and with His power. When you do that, you will come to know Him in a more intimate way than ever before because you will get to see Him working in and through your life like never before. (27)
The mindset of a kingdom steward, then, is that of an investor and not a spender. Investors are and answer two strategic questions: What will be the long-term generational kingdom impact of my life in history? and What difference will that impact make for eternity? (43)
If you want to grow spiritually, invest in the spiritual growth of others. (61)
The key event that God seeks to keep us connected with is that He created the world, and we didn’t. He provided all we need to exist, and we didn’t. He opened the doors of opportunity, and we didn’t. In other words, God owns it all, and we don’t own any of it. (80)
When you are living underneath the covenantal covering and provision of God, that is different from Prosperity Theology. That is Biblical Prosperity. And one key differentiating factor between the two is found in the book of 3 John 1:2: “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
Now, everybody loves the first part of that verse. Everybody wants their blessing. But when taken in context, this is a prayer that your physical prospering doesn’t outpace your spiritual prospering. It is a prayer that your bank account doesn’t exceed your spiritual account. It is a prayer that your human resources will not grow larger than your spiritual resources, because if they do, you will forget your Source. You will be sending yourself an invitation to another wilderness experience in order to relearn the foundational principle of life itself: God is the Source of all. (85)
“Busy” is the new status symbol for our culture… But if you and I are busy about the wrong things—instead of strategically advancing God’s kingdom—the enemy gets the points. And all we get is God looking at us and asking what on earth we are doing. (110)
When you leave this life and head into eternity, there will be an opportunity for a Welcoming Committee. The question is how many people are going to be at the pearly gate to welcome you because of the impact you made on their lives spiritually…. Yes, salvation is free, based on faith alone in Christ alone. But rewards come tied to what you do on earth. You and I must learn to live on earth in light of this future reality. We must make our decisions with an eternal perspective in mind. (117)
To deny yourself and take up your cross means to put His desires, His goals, and His priorities above your own. When you have to choose between His will and your own, you choose His. (136)
Far too many believers with means spend far too much time enjoying God’s generosity and far too little time using His divinely bestowed gifts of time, talents, and treasures to minister to others and advance His agenda as His kingdom stewards. (166)
In our contemporary culture, we are to also leave margin for giving in what we earn from our work (Leviticus 19:9-10; Ephesians 4:28) in order to help others, especially if they are poor and oppressed (Isaiah 58:6-12; James 1:27). God promises to bless such a commitment. After all, we are all gleaners in God’s field. (181)
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians
God can never be put in a box because He will use some of the most unlikely people and unusual means in His divine providence to turn your situation around. (237)
Let your every word and action pass through the filter of His ownership first. Use your time wisely because the days pass by quickly…. You can start by aligning your thoughts each morning when you wake up by acknowledging God’s ownership over every area of your life. A simple prayer might go like this:

Lord, You gave me life. You gave me today. I thank You for it, and I turn this day over to You. Have Your way in my thoughts. Have Your way in my time. Have Your way in my talents. Have Your way in my dreams. Have Your way in my work. Have Your way in the use of the resources You have entrusted to me. Have Your way with my words. Have Your way with my relationships. Lord, everything about this day, I hand over to You. Guide me because You own me. I place myself in Your hands. In Jesus name, amen.
I would encourage you to follow up that prayer by meditating on and saying Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lines in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Start your day by remembering what your day is all about: God. Invite Him into your thoughts and actions. Invite His rule to reign over you. Let Him influence what you do, who you do it with, what you watch, how you spend your time, and what you say. That’s the true definition of stewardship. If it were only about money, it would be easy. But stewardship has to do with every single area of your life, even your thoughts.
When God governs you and you live as a wise manager investing and leveraging all He’s given to you in order to advance and promote the agenda of His kingdom, you will be living as a faithful kingdom steward. You will also be taking full advantage of His incentive clauses and rewards program in your life.
Get up each day and affirm God’s ownership along with your commitment to serve as His faithful manager to impact your life for His glory, your good, the benefit of others, and the advancement of His kingdom. (242)

Who Would Benefit From This Book?

“Kingdom Stewardship” is ideal for individuals seeking to integrate their Christian faith with practical financial management. It’s a must-read for Christians aged 25-45, especially those who are college-educated and seeking a non-corporate, authentic approach to finances. The book is perfect for those interested in topics like “financial growth for Christians” and “biblically-informed financial planning.”

Popular Quotes from “Kingdom Stewardship”:

“Many people talk about “legacy” when someone leaves this earth. Legacy simply refers to what a person has left behind. But the true legacy involves that which is sent ahead.”
“The Bible declares that your greatest Christian stewardship is not seen in what you get from God but in what God, through you, can give to others as you serve Him in alignment with your gifts.”
“The mindset of a kingdom steward, then, is that of an investor and not a spender.”
“If you want to grow spiritually, invest in the spiritual growth of others.”
“God can never be put in a box because He will use some of the most unlikely people and unusual means in His divine providence to turn your situation around.”

Related Books:

“Living in Financial Victory (The Kingdom Agenda)” by Tony Evans
“Poverty, Riches and Wealth: Moving from a Life of Lack into True Kingdom Abundance” by Kris Vallotton
“The Giver and the Gift: Principles of Kingdom Fundraising” by Peter Greer and David Weekley

Readers who enjoyed “Kingdom Stewardship” might also find value in Bob & Linda’s book: Simple Money, Rich Life.