Biblical Stewardship: A Life of Faithful Responsibility - [Time, Talent, Treasure, and Tongue] 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

In this powerful segment, Lady Veleta Whitfield of Clinton Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond, California, walks us through what biblical stewardship truly means—not merely as a concept, but as a life of faithful responsibility before God.

Stewardship begins with a foundational truth: You don’t own it. God does. We are entrusted managers, not ultimate authorities. Whether it is our time, our gifts, our finances, our relationships, or even our words—everything belongs to Him.

This teaching breaks stewardship down into four clear categories:

Time – With 168 hours in a week, how much is intentionally given back to the Lord? We are called to walk wisely (Ephesians 5:15–17), honor seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and be intentional with every moment.

Talent – Our skills are meant for service, not selfish gain (1 Peter 4:10). We are required to prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2), to pursue excellence (Ecclesiastes 9:10), and to steward our gifts so we do not “die with our talent.”

Treasure – Everything we possess is temporarily entrusted (Psalm 24:1; Matthew 6:19–21). Stewardship requires managing money and resources in a way that reflects God’s sovereignty, not worldly attachment. Be trustworthy with the small things.

Tongue – Perhaps the most convicting. Words can set fires (James 3:5). Stewarding your tongue means resisting “clapping back,” speaking life not death (Proverbs 12:18), and allowing the Holy Spirit to govern your responses. Some things are better left unsaid. Steward your conversations. Steward your space. Steward your words.

Throughout the live discussion, the room leaned in deeply. The call was clear: we cannot pick and choose what we will steward. We must steward it all—faithfully, intentionally, and under God’s full authority.

This episode challenges us to examine not just what we manage—but how we manage it. Stewardship is an obedient witness to God’s sovereignty. It is not performance; it is faithfulness in practice.

Reflection Questions:

• Am I stewarding my time intentionally—or just occupying space?

• Are my gifts serving God—or serving self?

• Does my speech reflect maturity and restraint?

• Am I acknowledging God’s ownership in practice, not just in theory?

True stewardship honors God in every category.

Be found faithful. Amen