Evergreen Faith : How Can We Practice Biblical Stewardship in a Digital World?
Practicing biblical stewardship in a digital world means recognizing that our time, attention, and technology are resources entrusted to us by God. To be a good digital steward, one must intentionally use digital platforms for Gospel-centered communication, manage screen time to prioritize spiritual growth and family, and apply ethical standards to emerging tech like AI, ensuring our online presence reflects Christ’s character and advances His Kingdom.
Relevant Bible Verses
Matthew 25:21 – "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’"
Ephesians 5:15-16 – "Be very careful, then, how you live: not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
1 Corinthians 10:31 – "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Psalm 24:1 – "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."
Pastoral Insight and Practical Encouragement
When we hear the word "stewardship," our minds often jump straight to the Sunday morning offering plate. We think about budgets, tithing, and building funds. But stewardship is a much larger biblical concept. At its heart, stewardship is the management of someone else’s property. As the Psalmist reminds us, everything: our breath, our bank accounts, and even our bandwidth: belongs to God.
In today’s world, we are the first generation of Christians tasked with stewarding a digital landscape. We carry devices in our pockets that give us more influence and access to information than any king or prophet in the Bible ever had. This is a massive responsibility. Technology isn't just a distraction to be avoided; it’s a tool to be redeemed.
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The Parable of the Digital Talents
Jesus told a story in Matthew 25 about a master who entrusted his servants with "talents" (a large sum of money) before going on a journey. Two servants invested what they were given and doubled it. The third servant, driven by fear, buried his talent in the ground.
In the 21st century, our "talents" include our digital footprint. Think about your social media feed, your YouTube history, or your daily screen time report. Are we burying these resources in the "dirt" of mindless scrolling and divisive arguments? Or are we investing them to produce a harvest for the Kingdom?
Being a good steward in a digital world means asking: How am I using this platform to help people meet Jesus? It might be as simple as sharing a link to our latest podcast or posting an encouraging scripture. When we use technology to build others up, we are being faithful with the "few things" God has put in our hands.
Stewardship of Our Most Valuable Resource: Attention
The digital economy is built on attention. Every app is designed to keep your eyes on the screen for as long as possible. But as Christians, our attention is a sacred resource. We are called to "set our minds on things above" (Colossians 3:2).
If we spend four hours a day on TikTok but struggle to spend ten minutes in the Word, we have a stewardship problem. Biblical stewardship requires us to be the boss of our devices, not the other way around. This means setting boundaries. It might mean using "Do Not Disturb" modes during prayer time or deleting apps that trigger envy or anger.
We encourage you to use our online Bible studies to redirect your screen time toward things that feed your soul rather than drain it.
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Protecting the Home: Tech Safety and Family First
One of the most important areas of digital stewardship is the home. Your first ministry isn't your Instagram following; it's your family. Being a good steward means protecting the hearts and minds of the children in your care.
The digital world can be a dangerous neighborhood. Practicing "tech safety" is a spiritual discipline. This includes:
Transparency: Keeping devices in common areas of the house.
Accountability: Having "open phone" policies where parents and spouses can see what is being consumed.
Timing: Establishing tech-free zones, like mealtimes or an hour before bed, to foster real-world connection.
We want our homes to be places where the presence of God is more tangible than the presence of Wi-Fi. If you’re looking for a community to help navigate these challenges, consider joining one of our Boundless Groups where we talk about these real-life issues.
Ethical Use of AI and New Tools
As we move further into the age of Artificial Intelligence, stewardship becomes even more complex. At Boundless Online Church, we believe technology should serve the Gospel, not replace the Holy Spirit. Whether it’s using AI to help organize church administration or using digital tools to translate the Bible into new languages, the goal is always efficiency for the sake of ministry.
We steward these tools well when we use them with integrity: avoiding deception, maintaining a human touch in our relationships, and ensuring that everything we produce online aligns with the 16 Fundamental Truths of our faith.
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Investing Your Resources Online
Finally, stewardship involves our financial resources. Because we are a "Boundless" church, we aren't limited by a physical building. Your support helps us reach people who may never step foot in a traditional church.
When you purchase a Boundless hoodie or an FA Memphis visor, or when you give to the ministry, you are stewarding your finances to fuel digital evangelism. You are helping us provide a Sunday Live Worship experience for the lonely, the homebound, and the seeker.
A Call to Action
God has given you a unique digital voice. Don't bury it. Whether you are navigating the complexities of AI, trying to protect your kids online, or simply trying to find more time for God in a noisy world, remember that you aren't doing this alone.
We invite you to reach out. Do you have questions about how to balance your faith and your phone? Are you struggling with a digital addiction or looking for ways to use your skills for the Lord? We are here to walk with you.
We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online. Let's make the most of every digital opportunity together.
A Prayer for Digital Wisdom
Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible tools You have placed in our hands. We recognize that everything we have belongs to You. Give us the wisdom to steward our time and our technology for Your glory. Help us to be "very careful" how we live online. Protect our families from the dangers of the digital world and help us to use our influence to share Your love with a hurting world. May our digital footprints lead others straight to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341.
Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.
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