Stewardship vs. Ownership

 

Creating a Culture of Stewardship
Alan and Katherine Barnhart

 

In this session, Alan and Katherine Barnhart talk about how they gave their business up to the Lord. Alan and Katherine had their plans to work on the mission field radically disrupted when they inherited a family business. Through the business, they learned what it meant to steward their business and take the gospel to people in the midst of an unlikely industry.

Discussion Questions

Stewarding God’s Gifts 

1 Peter 4:10 says: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 

  • What are the gifts that God has given you to steward? Are there things that you wouldn’t have considered “gifts” that you need to surrender? 

God Owns It All

Alan and Katherine realized that money could be a big hindrance to their goal of giving their company to the Lord. They made a commitment that only allowed them to take home so much of the profit for their family. 

  • What are the hindrances in your company that would keep you from truly surrendering your business to the Lord? 

  • What does it look like for you to view your business as something for you to steward rather than something you are in possession of? 

Viewing From Others’ Perspective

  • When you think about how your family or employees view you as a business owner, what do you think they would say about you? How would they describe your grip on your resources, the way y

  • Are there changes you need to make in light of your response?

 
 
 

Ideas to Explore the Mark Further

Looking for some practical ways to put this mark into action? Here are some ideas that can help you develop an even greater understanding of Stewardship vs Ownership.

  • One way to surrender a sense of ownership for the money we make is to bring it into the light. Consider sharing about your finances with other trusted Christ-followers. Ask for Godly wisdom and guidance in how to steward it well.

  • As an entrepreneur, leaving the business we invested so much of our time, thought, sweat, and tears into can be nerve-racking. But if we believe that it all belongs to God anyways, the success of the business is not dependent upon us. Part of stewardship is considering the long-term sustainability of the business. One way you can plan and execute this is by creating a succession plan. Take time this week to think through the future of your business. What does a succession plan built on long-term look like in your context? What kind of timetable are you working with? Who will be the major players in the next generation of leadership? What can you do today to start preparing them for tomorrow?

  • Building, leading, and stewarding a long-lasting business impacts more than just you and your employees. The effects can reach your community as well. How might your company ensure that it’s not an ivory tower separated from the people around you? How can you create meaningful influence that outlives you? In what ways can your company give back to the community that has supported you? How might your family be involved? From sponsoring community events to offering scholarships to making donations to special initiatives, stewardship goes beyond community and public relations. The values that drive your company inside can be the same principles that influence the world outside.

 
 
Anna Kwee