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Stewardship Basics: A Step-by-Step Guide

April 29, 2026•8 min read

Stewardship Basics: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let me be honest with you. I was hesitant to lean into my faith with my podcast — to call it Finance for Christian Moms — partly because I don't know all the Bible stories like the back of my hand. But then God gently showed me how my relationship with Him has changed everything. The Holy Spirit has guided me deeper in my faith, even when I don't have the perfect biblical story to match up with exactly what I'm teaching.

So today I want to talk about stewardship — and what it actually means in real life.

What Is Stewardship, Really?

You've probably heard the phrase "be a wise steward." But what does that actually mean?

Stewardship isn't even exclusively a biblical word. Secularly, it means the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. But biblically, it goes deeper — it's a theological concept where we act as managers of God's creation, time, and talent, recognizing that God is the ultimate owner.

And honestly? Sometimes that feels heavy. This isn't just about me. This is a huge responsibility. But I want you to recognize that importance and also cut yourself some slack — because our God is a God of grace. He doesn't ask us to be perfect in this. He just doesn't want us to stay stuck in oblivion.

This makes me think of James — faith without works is dead. This doesn't mean we are saved by our works. But I believe that if we have genuine faith, it will change the way we steward and the way we live. If we trust God with our lives, we should trust Him with our wallets too.

So here are three simple steps you can take today to work on your stewardship journey. Because my friend, we will never fully arrive. It is a constant work in progress.

Step 1: Pray and Ask the Lord to Reveal What Needs to Change

Have you ever heard the quote — show me your bank account and I'll show you what you value? That is really convicting. There is so much truth to that. And sometimes it's hard to see for ourselves when we're right in the middle of it.

So the first step is asking the Lord to convict you, because those convictions will drive and propel you more than any budgeting tip I could ever give you. What do you need to let go of that isn't honoring Him or the values He's given you? Is it buying things to impress other people? Is it spending out of stress or boredom? Is it holding on too tightly and being afraid to give?

Here's the honest question I want you to sit with: if you looked at your bank statement right now, would it reflect what you say you value — your faith, your family, your health, generosity, experiences? Or would it tell a different story?

This is not about shame. It's about alignment. Because when your spending is aligned with your values, you stop feeling guilty about money. You stop second-guessing every purchase. And you start feeling peaceful and confident because you know your money is doing what you actually want it to do.

Step 2: Set the Tithe and Stop Making Excuses

Giving first is not a financial strategy. You won't find it in most secular financial books. It is an act of faith. It is saying with your money — God, I trust you with what is left. And that posture changes everything about how you manage the rest.

Keep it simple: give 10% of whatever hits your bank account every time you get paid. If you want to get technical and give off your gross income, go for it. But if you're new to this and it already feels overwhelming, just start with what comes home. I want to simplify your life, not complicate it.

I know some of you are thinking — Carolina, I can barely cover my expenses. How am I supposed to give first? And I hear you, I really do.

But here is what I have seen over and over again in my own life and in the lives of the women I coach: when we honor God with the first portion, He does something supernatural with the rest. Malachi 3:10 says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse and test me in this, says the Lord. See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven." When I read that I was just blown away — that God would say, test me. Like He is inviting us to watch what He will do.

And I want to share a personal example that brings this all into perspective. About a year and a half ago I felt the Lord calling me to leave my job. I was honestly kind of distraught. I was shaking telling my husband. At the time I thought God was just calling me to stay home full time because we were expecting our second son, who was a long-awaited miracle. I didn't feel 100% right about it — but I knew it came from the Lord and I just had to be obedient. So I left with no plan.

And then the Lord blessed me with this business. This podcast. These conversations with you. If I had not listened, if I had not taken that step of obedience in that crazy thing He asked me to do, I wouldn't be here today. God has blessed me abundantly — not just financially, because we all know what starting a business can feel like — but in the relationships, the purpose, the continual trust I've built with Him one step at a time. That is what the floodgates of heaven have looked like in my life.

The world is going to tell you that giving 10% sounds crazy. But God asks us to do crazy things all the time. And it is so much better on the other side of it.

Step 3: Track It — Seriously

Call it a budget or a spending plan, whatever word feels less heavy. But you need to hold yourself accountable.

I recently finished reading The One Page Financial Plan by Carl Richards — a financial advisor who lost his house in 2008 and had to completely rebuild. One thing he says about budgeting has really stuck with me: it's not just about numbers, it's about awareness. We often avoid it because we're afraid of what we'll find out. But budgeting gives us the opportunity to see the gap between what we say is important and how we actually spend our money.

That might sound scary at first. But use it as a tool to empower you, not shame you.

Here's the thing — I can encourage you, I can tell you what to do, you can read a book or watch a YouTube video. But at the end of the day, you make the decision. God has trusted you to manage what He has given you. No one else can do that for you. And if you can't control your spending today, it won't automatically get easier later. I've seen it as an advisor — this is how retirees end up broke. I know that sounds intense, but it's real life.

So here's your nudge: start tracking your spending. Download an app — I'll link some of my favorites in the show notes — and just see how you do. The first month, just track everything and reflect at the end. Don't feel like you have to set anything in stone forever. Just track it and be aware. Grace over perfection — just start.

Quick Recap

Step 1: Pray first. Ask the Lord to reveal what needs to change and let His conviction drive you. Then ask yourself the hard question — does my bank statement actually reflect what I say I value?

Step 2: Set the tithe and stop making excuses. Give 10% off of what you bring home every single time you get paid. No negotiating, no waiting until it feels more comfortable — spoiler alert, it never feels like the perfect time. It is an act of faith, and God will meet you there.

Step 3: Track it. Call it whatever you want, just do it. You cannot close the gap between where you are and where you want to be if you refuse to look at where you're standing right now.

Stewardship can be simple. It's not always easy, especially in the beginning. But you can totally do this.

If you liked this blog post, make sure to head over to our podcast and listen to the full episode!