Why Stewardship Is Essential to Discipleship | Chris Goulard & Josh Howard

The episode begins with Josh Howard introducing himself at the Spire Conference in Indianapolis, where he meets Chris Goulard. They recount how they met in Manchester, England, in 2019, and discuss Chris's background in financial planning ministries and his previous work at Saddleback Church. Their conversation is framed around the importance of financial stewardship in discipleship, emphasizing that their discussion is driven by a desire to equip church leaders and believers in aligning their finances with their faith.

Chris Goulard firmly states that how individuals handle their money significantly affects their relationship with Jesus. He argues that discipleship must include addressing financial health because it impacts the heart. The hosts explore how many believers view their finances as the last part of their lives surrendered to Christ, despite Jesus’s teachings that where treasure is, the heart follows. They discuss research indicating that financial surrender often laggs behind other aspects of faith, such as emotional or spiritual surrender.

Chris suggests that churches should incorporate financial planning as part of their discipleship efforts, beyond traditional giving campaigns. He advocates for offering estate planning and financial education within the church community, emphasizing that these ministries meet urgent, practical needs while also reinforcing biblical principles. Howard and Goulard highlight that such initiatives can reshape the church culture to view stewardship as a discipleship issue rather than merely a fundraiser or appeal for donations.

The conversation shifts to Jesus’s parable of the soils in Mark 4, where Chris emphasizes that the thorns—representing the deceitfulness of wealth, the cares of the world, and the desire for other things—choke spiritual growth. They note that this 'third soil' represents many American churchgoers whose faith is hindered by worldly distractions, especially greed and materialism. Both hosts agree that these weeds must be addressed early to help believers become truly fruitful disciples, as Jesus’s teaching underscores that money and worldly pursuits can prevent spiritual maturity.

Howard and Goulard explore how churches can reach unchurched communities through programs focused on parenting, marriage, and finances. Goulard points out that these are topics of high relevance to non-believers and can serve as entry points for evangelism. He advocates for hosting financial literacy and parenting classes as a way to build trust and introduce people to Christ. The discussion emphasizes that when churches serve practical needs, they create safe environments for both discipleship and evangelism.

The hosts concur that understanding oneself as a steward—whose resources belong to God—transforms attitudes towards giving and living generously. Goulard explains that stewardship is part of a believer’s identity in Christ and that embracing this identity unlocks joyful generosity not only with finances but also time, talents, and energy. They stress that true discipleship involves a lifestyle of living as a steward, which naturally leads to a life characterized by generosity and kingdom-mindedness.

The episode concludes with a challenge for listeners to examine their own stewardship. Howard and Goulard encourage pastors and believers to ask whether they are faithfully managing what God has entrusted to them and whether they are helping others do the same. They advocate for leading with integrity, living generously, and creating church cultures that prioritize stewardship as a disciplemaking priority. The hosts urge leaders to foster conversations about finances that lead to genuine surrender and joyful living for the glory of God.