“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” – Luke 16:10-11
Devotional: The Heart of Biblical Stewardship
In our verse from Luke 16:10-11, Jesus presents us with a profound truth about stewardship that cuts to the very heart of how we approach wealth and resources. This passage isn’t merely about money management—it’s about the condition of our hearts and our readiness to receive God’s greater blessings.
The connection between faithfulness in “little” and readiness for “much” reveals God’s testing process. He watches how we handle the earthly resources He has entrusted to us before blessing us with greater spiritual responsibilities. This principle aligns perfectly with 1 Timothy 6:9-10, which warns us that “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
The danger lies not in money itself, but in our heart’s relationship with it. When wealth becomes our master rather than our tool, we’ve crossed the line from stewardship into idolatry. This is why Jesus taught us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) further illustrates this principle. The master entrusted different amounts to his servants based on their abilities, and rewarded those who multiplied what they received. Notice that the reward wasn’t based on the amount gained, but on faithfulness with what was given. The servant who received five talents and doubled them received the same commendation as the one who received two and doubled those: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
This parable teaches us that God provides us with the ability to create wealth, but it’s to be used for His plan on earth, not for our own worldly desires[8][9]. We are privileged stewards, not owners, of the resources God has entrusted to us. As Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”.
Research shows that only 5-10% of Christians tithe regularly, yet 77% of those who do give more than 10% of their income[7]. This striking statistic reveals that those who truly understand biblical stewardship don’t view the tithe as a ceiling, but as a floor—a starting point for generous giving.
Business Strategy: Three Practical Principles for Kingdom-Minded Business
1. Acknowledge God as the Source of Your Ability to Create Wealth
The first practical strategy flows from Deuteronomy 8:18: “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth”. This isn’t merely theological theory—it’s a practical business principle that transforms how we approach success.
In practice, this means beginning each business day with prayer, seeking God’s wisdom for decisions, and recognizing that our skills, opportunities, and resources are gifts from Him. Christian business owners who operate from this principle report greater peace during difficult seasons and more clarity in decision-making[2].
Consider implementing a “first fruits” principle in your business finances. Just as individuals are called to give God the first portion of their income, businesses can designate the first portion of profits for Kingdom purposes. This practice reinforces the truth that God is the ultimate source of success.
2. Prove Faithful in Little Things to Receive Greater Responsibilities
Luke 16:10-11 teaches us that God promotes those who prove trustworthy with smaller responsibilities. In business, this means excellence in every detail—from how we treat employees to how we handle customer service, from our tax filings to our vendor relationships.
Practical application includes maintaining rigorous financial records, paying bills promptly, treating employees fairly, and conducting business with complete honesty and transparency. Research indicates that Christian-owned businesses that prioritize integrity and employee welfare often experience lower turnover rates and higher customer loyalty[8].
Small faithfulness includes proper stewardship of resources—avoiding waste, investing wisely, and making decisions that honor God rather than merely maximize profits[19]. Companies like Barnhart Crane & Rigging exemplify this principle by maintaining high standards of excellence while using their success to fund charitable causes[1][4].
3. Use All Resources for God’s Glory and Kingdom Purposes
The ultimate goal of Christian business isn’t personal enrichment but advancing God’s kingdom. This means viewing profits not as personal rewards but as tools for impact[2]. Studies show that Christian business owners who prioritize giving often experience what they describe as supernatural provision and blessing.
Practical implementation involves setting aside a predetermined percentage of profits for charitable giving, supporting missions, and helping employees in need. Some Christian businesses, like Alan Barnhart’s company, give away 50% of their profits while reinvesting the other 50% for growth[1].
This also means considering the eternal impact of business decisions. Does your product or service genuinely serve people? Are you creating jobs that provide dignity and fair wages? Are you using your platform to be a positive influence in your community?
Testimony: Alan Barnhart’s Kingdom-Focused Business Model
Alan Barnhart, CEO of Barnhart Crane & Rigging, provides a powerful example of biblical stewardship in action. After studying every Bible verse about money during his young adult years, Alan reached two crucial conclusions: first, that everything he possessed came from God and belonged to God, making him merely a steward; second, that wealth posed spiritual dangers that required intentional safeguards[1][4].
These convictions led Alan and his brother Eric to make radical decisions about their highly successful business. Rather than allowing success to corrupt their hearts, they committed to capping their personal lifestyle while giving away 50% of the company’s profits to charitable causes[3][6]. This wasn’t a burden but a joy—a way to align their business success with their spiritual values.
The impact on their business was remarkable. By removing the temptation to extract maximum personal wealth, they were free to focus on excellence, innovation, and building something truly valuable[5][6]. Their company grew to become one of the largest heavy lift and transport organizations in the United States, with $400 million in revenue and 1,500 employees[6].
But the most profound transformation was spiritual. In 2007, Alan and Eric took the ultimate step of stewardship: they gave away 99% of their company to the National Christian Foundation, retaining only 1% for voting control[6]. Later, they placed even that 1% in a voting trust, meaning they no longer owned the company but continued to steward it[6].
This decision eliminated succession planning concerns, reduced their tax burden, and most importantly, aligned their legal reality with their spiritual conviction that God owns everything[3][6]. As Alan explains, this wasn’t sacrifice but freedom—the liberty to manage God’s resources without the burden of ownership[1].
Today, Barnhart Crane & Rigging continues to thrive under this model, proving that Kingdom-focused business principles don’t hinder success but enhance it. The company maintains its commitment to excellence while using its profits to fund charitable work around the world[3][6].
Conclusion: The Call to Faithful Stewardship
Jesus’ words in Luke 16:10-11 call us to a higher standard of stewardship than the world offers. In a culture where success is measured by accumulation, we’re called to measure it by faithfulness. In a world that sees wealth as a means of personal gratification, we’re called to see it as a tool for God’s glory.
The statistics reveal that we have tremendous potential. US Christians collectively earn $5.2 trillion annually—nearly half the world’s total Christian income[7]. If all Christians tithed, faith organizations would have an extra $139 billion annually to advance God’s kingdom[7]. Yet only 5-10% of Christians tithe regularly, and the average Christian gives only 2% of their income[9].
As Christian business owners and professionals, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility. We can model biblical stewardship in our businesses, demonstrating that success and faithfulness aren’t opposites but partners. We can prove that those who honor God with their wealth will be honored by God with greater opportunities to serve.
The question isn’t whether we can afford to give—it’s whether we can afford not to. When we prove faithful with worldly wealth, God entrusts us with true riches. When we use our businesses for His glory, He uses our success for His kingdom. This is the call of Christian stewardship: to manage everything as if it belongs to God, because it does.
[1] Eternal Perspective Ministries. “Running Your Business to the Glory of God.” February 1, 2021.
[2] Christian Wealth. “The Christian Entrepreneur: Faith in the marketplace.” April 5, 2025.
[3] Beaconship. “Building a $250M Company for Kingdom Impact.” December 1, 2024.
[4] Patheos. “God Owns Our Business: The Barnhart’s Story Of Stewardship.” May 31, 2017.
[5] YouTube. “Barnhart Crane CEO Interview for the Center for Faith & Work.” 2024.
[6] YouTube. “Giving is at the Heart of Barnhart.” September 14, 2021.
[7] Biblical Stewardship. “Statistical Research on Stewardship.” January 19, 2011.
[8] LinkedIn. “New research reveals how Christian-owned companies really operate.” October 16, 2023.
[9] Vanco. “51 Shocking Statistics on Church Giving & Tithing.” 2025.
This article was originally published in the Faith Footprints. To receive similar articles, you are invited to subscribe:
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