You’ve probably felt the impact of rising prices at the grocery store and gas pump. How is inflation affecting your stewardship of the resources God has given you?
This week, Cissie Graham Lynch kicks off a series of Fearless podcasts addressing key issues Christians should consider before voting—important topics she covers in her recently released Fearless Family: Eight-Day Election Prayer Guide. This week’s segment looks at generosity and the economy.
“This election, join me in asking God to raise up leaders who serve with the Philippians 2:4 attitude,” she said. “Philippians 2:4 says, ‘Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others.’”
Cissie’s devotional below, excerpted from her guide, digs deeper into Biblical principles on stewardship—and voting for candidates who demonstrate fiscal responsibility.
Reading: Matthew 19–34
Personal Stewardship
The first job that God gave mankind was to steward the earth (Genesis 1:26). We were to care for creation and to have dominion over everything. But the mandate given to Adam in Genesis didn’t end there—we are all still responsible to steward the resources that God has blessed us with.
God also made His plan for the family clear. In the first pages of Scripture, we are told to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28, ESV). Sadly, more and more couples in America are choosing to forego children today because they think they can’t afford it …
God has also made it clear that we are to “give generously to the poor and not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do” (Deut. 15:10, NLT). We are to meet the needs of our own households as well as those around us. This may feel impossible when you are just trying to put food on the table, but God promises to bless us when we give unsparingly and with a cheerful heart (see 2 Corinthians 9:7).
This flies in the face of what we’re seeing happen around us today.
A Giving USA report found that in 2023 Americans gave the lowest percentage of their disposable income to charity since 1995. Soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other nonprofits struggle when Americans have to choose between their everyday needs and helping others …
Protecting the Next Generation of Americans
[Debt and inflation] is not how God wants our families, much less our governments, to operate. Scripture tells us, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8, NIV). Proverbs 22:7 says: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender” (NIV).
I believe we should feel some level of concern when we see this happening in our own country as the U.S. racks up hundreds of billions of dollars in debt to countries like China and Japan. We may not see the effects of the debt load today, but our children and grandchildren will be saddled with this burden that will impact the quality of life in this country for generations to come. God wants us to be good stewards of our earthly resources and use them in a way that leaves the next generation unburdened by debt and in a position to work productively. Proverbs 13:22 says: “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren” (NLT). …
When we head to the ballot box in November, we must look at the voting records of those who represent us. Do they support big government spending and borrowing or do they faithfully steward taxpayer funds and balance the budget? Do they offer full accountability and transparency with their spending? We should also research what initiatives our tax dollars are funding. Do they allow money for projects that directly contradict Biblical beliefs to be hidden in spending bills?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we know all that we have is by Your hand. Help us not store up earthly things but rather to store up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20). Would You guide us as we lead our children and future generations to use our resources for Your Kingdom purposes?
We pray for wisdom, humility, and resilience in our leaders as they consider the long-term effects that will come from the way they use the money entrusted to them. Help us to trust You to supply our every need as You promise in Philippians 4:19 and not look to politicians as our ultimate suppliers or savior.
We pray for leaders who will lift up the Name of Jesus and use our tax dollars on government projects that promote Biblical standards at home and abroad. We know that Your Word says that to whom much is given, much will be expected, so please help us as individuals and as a nation to fulfill this responsibility well.
Would you like a digital copy of the complete version of Cissie’s Fearless Family: Eight-Day Election Prayer Guide? Request yours here.
