Webster defines stewardship as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” If the topic is managing money, we describe the stewardship as “financial.”
On the initial pages of my book, “Choose Stocks Wisely,” I introduce myself as a Christian. More than anything else, I desire to honor God first and foremost with my life on earth by being a faithful steward to Him. God has blessed me with many wonderful people I’ve answered to across my career, people who have entrusted me to do a job and my desire has always been to do the best job I can so that those in charge over me will find me a dependable employee (steward); and thereby, I can honor God. Managing money with this same motivation (honoring God) is my best effort at describing what Christian financial stewardship is all about. I want to make money in a way that honors God and then want to use it to honor Him too. There’s responsibility on both ends, how I seek to gain resources and where I use (spend and give) those resources.
I’ve concluded that finances are managed most effectively when there is understanding and regard for the balance sheet. I believe this is a broad truth that extends well beyond stock investing across the whole realm of money management.
My effort to explain the balance sheet relative to stock investing in my book and my desire to be faithful to God in the way I manage finances entrusted to me, are connected. However, the balance sheet is just a financial statement. It is not a “Christian” report. But the balance sheet explains an entity’s financial situation. As a Christian, since my goal is to wisely manage the financial resources God has entrusted to me, I know I need to understand the financial situation before I decide what to do next. In the realm of stock investments, a company may be touting its future and all the money it plans to make; but if the balance sheet reveals that it is not managing its financial resources well enough right now to realize a future, for me, proceeding with an investment is not good financial stewardship.
I’ll close by sharing a picture taken today by my wife’s cell phone of our little granddaughter, Sadie Grace. I know it will put a big smile on your face.
Our Sadie
Thank you for the article.
Cute child, Paul!
Marc
Marc,
Friend, I see we’re both up late tonight. Thanks for the comment. And grandpas are just a tad proud.
I’ve wondered how you’ve been. Hope you and your family are well.
Paul
Lovely granddaughter. My wife and I are enjoying pictures of our first granddaughter now too. She reminds me of Proverbs 13:22.
Enjoyed your book.
Dan,
I’m glad y’all are experiencing the joy too. I looked at the verse; it is surely fitting. Thank you, friend.
Paul
Hi Paul;
I really enjoyed your book ,have read well over a hundred stock market books and very rarely recommend books to people. However I ordered three extra copies to give to close friends in the hope that they will inculcate your ideas/ formula into some of their investing.
If the extra copies are used by one of these friends it will be worth my time to have read your book. I’ve used your formula and it is benefitting me. Thank you very much.
Knowing that your a retired professor from M.S.U. I would also like to say, especially after today’s game, go Bulldogs !!
That is a cute picture of your grand daughter.
Thank you,
Jim Stull
Hey Jim,
Thank you so!
I just saw the new AP Top 25 poll moments ago. This is the first time I recall in my lifetime where both Mississippi State and Ole Miss are ranked in the top 5; MSU is ranked at no. 3 and Ole Miss at no. 4.
Jim, thanks again for you kind comments.
Paul
I’m having to correct myself everywhere today. MSU and Ole Miss are tied in the AP Poll for 3rd spot; MSU is shown before Ole Miss, but upon closer viewing, they share the 3rd spot. Here’s the link at week 7 for the poll released today, Oct. 5.
http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll
Jim, I’m sorry for the typos in my last response. I always proofread but I’m getting daily confirmation now with regard to how essential my reading glasses have become:))