There is a phrase most Christians want to hear some day. They want to hear this phrase when they arrive in heaven and stand before the Lord God. It is “Well done good and faithful servant.” Have you considered the fact that the only time we have these words recorded in Scripture, it is in the context of a man be commended for his stewardship. It is in Luke and in Matthew. Here is Matthew 25:14-30.

For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.  And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Here are some other references about stewardship: Genesis 39:4-6; Psalm 8:6; Hebrews 2:6-8.

Adding to all this we also see in 1 Corinthians 4:2, Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. A steward is a person who cares for the possessions of another. As we already know, we do not actually “own” anything. Everything we have in our stewardship belongs to Him. We are to be stewards of His possessions.

The evidence is overwhelming. God calls us to be good and faithful stewards of His possessions. When this principle is actively and consistently practiced, we are on the right path of financial freedom.