Staying in Order: Building Character for Financial Stewardship

A Study of 2 Peter 1:5-7

I. Introduction: The Divine Progression

You may have learned about budgets, debt management, and financial planning. But what about the character that underpins it all? The foundation of faithful stewardship isn't found in spreadsheets or calculators alone — it's built on the character qualities God prescribes in His Word.

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity."
— 2 Peter 1:5-7 (KJV)

Peter presents a sequence — a progression. Each quality builds upon the last. Think of it like building a house: you can't put up walls without a foundation. In our financial lives, if we get these things "out of order," the whole structure becomes unstable. This study explores how good stewardship is a direct result of building our character in God's prescribed order.

II. The Foundation: Faith

What it Means: Faith is the foundation of our entire Christian walk. Complete trust and reliance on God — His character, His promises, and His power, not our own.
Scripture:
- "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)
- "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5 KJV)
Connection to Financial Stewardship: All stewardship starts here. It's the belief that everything we have is God's, and we are merely managers. Faith allows us to tithe when the budget is tight, to give generously without fear, and to find contentment regardless of our account balance.
Out of Order Example: Someone lacks foundational faith in God's provision. They hear about a "guaranteed" high-risk investment. Because their trust is in the scheme and not God, they invest more than they can afford to lose. When it fails, their financial house crumbles. They trusted a human system more than God.
Discussion: Can you think of a time when acting in faith with your finances felt scary? What was the outcome?

III. The Framework: Virtue

What it Means: Moral excellence and goodness in action. Living out our faith with integrity, courage, and obedience to God's moral law. Virtue is faith made visible.
Scripture:
- "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8 KJV)
- "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." (Proverbs 20:7 KJV)
Connection to Financial Stewardship: Virtue is obedience — and tithing is a commandment, not a suggestion. This is where we demonstrate that our faith is real by doing what God told us to do with our money. Beyond the tithe, it means earning money honestly, paying debts, being truthful on our taxes, and refusing to cut corners or exploit others for gain. Financial integrity starts with obedience.
Out of Order Example: A person can't seem to save any money or get anywhere. Something always breaks down — the car, the appliance, an unexpected bill. Money just disappears. They budget, they try harder, but nothing changes. Why? Because they skipped obedience. They aren't tithing. In Malachi 3:8-11, God says plainly that when we rob Him of the tithe, we are under a curse. But when we bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, He promises to "rebuke the devourer" for our sakes. He can't rebuke the devil on our behalf without our obedience. No amount of budgeting or financial strategy will overcome the curse of disobedience. Virtue — obedience — has to come first.

IV. The Blueprint: Knowledge

What it Means: Practical wisdom and understanding. Not just head knowledge, but the ability to apply spiritual truths to real-life situations. Understanding how the world works in light of who God is.
Scripture:
- "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7 KJV)
- "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up." (Proverbs 21:20 KJV)
Connection to Financial Stewardship: Financial literacy through a biblical lens. Understanding budgeting, the danger of debt, the power of compound interest, and planning for the future. God gives us the tools — knowledge is learning to use them.
Out of Order Example: Here's the key — God doesn't give us financial understanding until we've been obedient. That's His progression. A person skips virtue (obedience) and jumps straight to trying to be financially wise. They read books, listen to podcasts, chase investment strategies — but they haven't tithed, they haven't been honest with their money, they haven't submitted to God's commands. They wonder why they can't seem to get ahead. The knowledge won't stick because the obedience wasn't there first. Or consider someone with a good heart who wants to be generous. They hear a moving story and donate a large sum — on a high-interest credit card. Their "godly" act puts their own family in financial bondage. Good intentions without knowledge can lead to disastrous stewardship, and true knowledge doesn't come until we've walked in obedience.
Discussion: Why do you think some Christians are hesitant to seek financial knowledge? What does the Bible say about seeking wisdom?

V. The Discipline: Temperance

What it Means: The mastery of one's own desires and impulses. The ability to say "no" to the flesh and "yes" to the Spirit.
Scripture:
- "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)
- "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." (Proverbs 25:28 KJV)
Connection to Financial Stewardship: This is where the budget meets the road. Delayed gratification. The discipline to stick to a spending plan, avoid impulse purchases, and save consistently even when you'd rather spend.
Out of Order Example: Someone is trying to be patient while saving for a house down payment. They have the long-term goal. However, they lack daily temperance. Small impulsive purchases, daily expensive coffees, and frequent meals out constantly drain their savings. They think they are being patient, but without temperance, their patience is just waiting without progress. The goal remains perpetually out of reach.

VI. God's Timeline: Patience

What it Means: Not just waiting — perseverance and endurance. The ability to remain under a heavy load, to continue on in the face of trial and difficulty without giving up.
Scripture:
- "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)
- "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (Hebrews 10:36 KJV)
Connection to Financial Stewardship: The key to long-term financial health. Continuing to save and invest month after month, year after year. Holding firm during a downturn instead of panic-selling. The slow, steady process of building wealth God's way.
Out of Order Example: If you lack the Virtue (obedience to God's timing and principles) and Temperance to manage your desires, you can't have proper Patience. This leads to decisions like financing a new car you can't afford because you're unwilling to wait and save. The impatience is born from a lack of the preceding virtues. You wanted it, so you got it — but the timing wasn't right.

VII. The Purpose: Godliness

What it Means: A practical reverence for God in every area of life. A God-consciousness that affects all our actions and choices. The desire is to please God, not ourselves.
Scripture:
- "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7 KJV)
- "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV)
Connection to Financial Stewardship: This transforms stewardship from a chore into an act of worship. It asks the question, "How can I use this money to honor God?" It fosters contentment instead of comparison and a spirit of generosity, seeing our resources as a tool to be used in a way that aligns with His will.
Out of Order Example: A person might give money to a fellow church member. But if they lack godliness, the motive can be corrupt. They give with strings attached — to gain influence in the church or to be seen as righteous by others. The act looks kind, but without a heart of godliness, it's a self-serving transaction, not true stewardship.
Discussion: How does viewing your finances through the lens of "godliness" change your perspective on budgeting or saving?

VIII. The Bond: Brotherly Kindness

What it Means: A genuine, family-like affection for fellow believers. The bond we share in the body of Christ. Caring for your brothers and sisters not out of obligation, but out of genuine love for the household of faith.
Scripture:
- "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." (Romans 12:10 KJV)
- "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17 KJV)
Connection to Financial Stewardship: This is stewardship within the body. Using your resources to care for the church family — helping a brother in need, supporting a missionary, covering a meal for a family going through hardship. Your finances become a ministry to those in the household of faith.
Out of Order Example: Someone tries to be generous toward their church family but lacks godliness and temperance underneath. They lend money to a brother but then hold it over him. They help a family but gossip about their situation afterward. Or they give beyond their means to look generous, creating debt that burdens their own household. Brotherly kindness without the preceding character traits becomes manipulation, pride, or recklessness disguised as generosity.

IX. The Pinnacle: Charity

What it Means: The highest rung. Unconditional, selfless, sacrificial love — not just for the brethren, but for all. This is the very nature of God poured out through us. Charity goes beyond affection for the family of believers. It extends to the stranger, the enemy, the world. It is love without condition or expectation of return.
Scripture:
- "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV)
- "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44 KJV)
Connection to Financial Stewardship: This is the ultimate expression of everything we've built. Charity is the overflow — when your character is built in order, your resources flow outward without reservation. You give not because someone earned it or because it benefits you, but because God gave everything for you. Your finances become an instrument of His love to the world.
Out of Order Example: Lacking the full progression makes charity a hollow concept. Without Faith, we give from fear. Without Knowledge, we give unwisely. Without Temperance, we have nothing left to give. Without Godliness, we give for the wrong reasons. Without Brotherly Kindness, we skip over our own church family to look charitable to the world. True, impactful charity is the fruit of a character that has been built, in order, on the foundation of faith. It's the capstone on a well-built structure.

X. Conclusion: The Full Structure

Financial stewardship isn't a separate, secret part of the Christian life. It's a direct outflow of our character. Peter gave us the blueprint — Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, Charity. Each one builds on the last. Skip a step, and the structure is compromised.

The Diagnostic: When our financial lives are messy, it's often a symptom that we are "out of order" in one of these areas. Are you struggling with debt? Perhaps the issue is a lack of temperance. Are you paralyzed by financial fear? Perhaps the foundation of faith needs strengthening. Are you generous but reckless? Perhaps you skipped knowledge.

The Encouragement: God's desire is not to make us rich, but to make us faithful. By focusing on building our character in His prescribed order, we will naturally become better and more effective stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us.

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
— Matthew 25:21 (KJV)