Does Good Stewardship Lead to an Increase? Question 18.

Jonathan Shuttlesworth, in his book and YouTube blog 35 Questions for Those Who Hate the Prosperity Gospel, poses the question:

“Does good stewardship not lead to an increase?”

He argues that wisdom and proper management, as outlined in Proverbs, lead to a financial increase, framing this as a biblical principle. Shuttlesworth suggests that ministers and Christians who fail to see financial growth lack proper stewardship or revelation from God. While affirming the importance of stewardship, he conflates it with financial prosperity, presenting wealth as the inevitable result of faithful management.

This blog critically evaluates Shuttlesworth’s claims, examining the biblical principles of stewardship and addressing his argument's theological and practical implications.

1. Biblical Principles of Stewardship

What Does the Bible Say About Stewardship?

The Bible emphasizes stewardship as a core responsibility of believers:

1. Faithfulness in Small Things:

   • Luke 16:10: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”Faithfulness in managing resources reflects a heart aligned with God’s purposes, but this faithfulness is not always tied to material wealth.

2. Using Resources for God’s Glory:

   • 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”Stewardship involves using resources—both spiritual and material—for the benefit of others and the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

3. Eternal Perspective:

   • Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”Biblical stewardship prioritizes eternal rewards over earthly wealth.

     
     

2. Does Good Stewardship Always Lead to Financial Increase?

Shuttlesworth’s Claim

Shuttlesworth asserts that good stewardship inevitably leads to a financial increase, calling this a “biblical principle.” He ties this concept to the wisdom literature of Proverbs, claiming that wisdom and proper management result in wealth.

A Closer Look at Proverbs

Proverbs often present general principles, not guarantees. For example:

• Proverbs 10:4: “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”While diligence often leads to success, this is not a universal promise. Other factors, such as systemic injustice and unforeseen hardships, can impact financial outcomes.

• Proverbs 22:2: “Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.”This verse reminds readers that wealth and poverty exist under God’s sovereignty, emphasizing trust in Him over financial results.

  
  

The Parable of the Talents

Shuttlesworth’s argument aligns with the principles in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where faithful servants are rewarded for their stewardship. However, the parable’s primary focus is not financial gain but accountability to God for how believers use their entrusted resources.

Balanced Perspective

While good stewardship often results in positive outcomes, it does not guarantee financial increase. Biblical stewardship prioritizes faithfulness, generosity, and trust in God, regardless of material results.

3. Financial Challenges in Ministry

Shuttlesworth’s Observation

Shuttlesworth highlights the financial challenges faced by new ministers, framing money as essential for achieving God’s vision. He claims that ministers must “press in and receive revelation from God” to overcome these obstacles.

Biblical Perspective on Ministry and Provision

1. God’s Provision: The Bible teaches that God provides for the needs of His people:

   • Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”However, this provision is not always financial and may involve reliance on the generosity of others (Luke 10:4-7).

     
     

2. Faithfulness Over Finances: Paul, one of the most effective missionaries in history, often operated with limited financial resources, relying on God’s provision and the support of the church (2 Corinthians 11:9).

   
   

3. Generosity and Sacrificial Giving:

   • 2 Corinthians 8:2-3: The Macedonian churches, though poor, gave generously to support Paul’s ministry, demonstrating that financial abundance is not a prerequisite for effective ministry.

     
     

Critical Analysis

Shuttlesworth’s emphasis on financial resources risks shifting focus from God’s power and provision to human efforts and material means. While resources can aid ministry, they are not the foundation of success in God’s Kingdom.

4. Theological Concerns

Equating Stewardship with Wealth Accumulation

Shuttlesworth’s argument conflates stewardship with financial success, overlooking the Bible’s warnings about wealth:

• 1 Timothy 6:9-10:

  “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

  
  

Faithfulness Over Results

In Playing with Holy Fire, Dr. Michael Brown warns against measuring spiritual success by material gain, emphasizing that faithfulness to God’s calling often involves sacrifice and hardship.

A Risk of Manipulation

Costi Hinn, in God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel, critiques prosperity teachings that pressure ministers to prioritize wealth, warning that this focus can lead to disillusionment and exploitation.

Conclusion: Does Good Stewardship Lead to an Increase?

Good stewardship often results in positive outcomes, including financial stability. However, Scripture does not guarantee that faithful stewardship will always lead to material wealth. Biblical stewardship prioritizes faithfulness, generosity, and trust in God’s provision, with an eternal perspective that values spiritual growth over earthly riches.

Shuttlesworth’s argument rightly highlights the importance of stewardship but risks distorting its purpose by overemphasizing financial results. Effective ministry relies not on the abundance of resources but on the power and provision of God, who calls His people to trust Him in all circumstances.

Author: Evg. Bradley Sliedrecht BCL, M.Div. ✝️📖✨

(PhD Student)