a note for the new year
Embracing Abundance in 2025: Stewarding Time, Resources, Relationships, and Skills
As we step into a new year, it’s natural to set goals and make plans, hoping for growth, success, and fulfillment. But often, we approach the future with a scarcity mindset, focusing on what we lack or fear losing. This year, I am choosing to shift my perspective and embrace a mindset of abundance—one rooted in faith, gratitude, and purpose—to steward my time, resources, relationships, and skills in ways that honor God and serve others.
What Does It Mean to Have an Abundance Mindset?
An abundance mindset sees life through the lens of gratitude and possibility. It acknowledges that God’s provision is sufficient, and His plans are good. Contrast this with a scarcity mindset, which is driven by fear, comparison, and a sense of not having enough. Choosing abundance means trusting that God’s resources—both spiritual and material—are limitless and available to us as we align our lives with His purposes. When I shift my mindset from scarcity to abundance, I no longer feel the need to compete with others or covet what they have because I know that I am in alignment with God’s Will for my life and He will provide exactly what I need by making my path straight. When I have this mindset I know that in God’s Kingdom, there is more than enough room for all of us, and we need each other to fulfil His Will here on Earth.
Stewarding Time: Investing in What Matters Most
Time is one of the greatest gifts God gives us, and how we use it reflects our priorities. I have always deeply valued time. I don’t like to waste a minute of it, so making sure I am surrounding myself with those who are aligned with that same value is important to me. Here are some of the ways I will be a good steward of my time:
Prioritizing what matters: Identify activities that align with my faith, values, and purpose. Letting go of distractions or commitments that don’t add meaning to my life.
Intentional planning: Using time blocking, goal-setting, or journaling to stay focused on what truly matters and having an accountability partner to help me with that.
Saying ‘no’ to say ‘yes’: I have spent a good chunk of 2025 so far saying no to things that drain my energy or pull me away from my priorities. As a chronic “yes” girl, I am really proud of myself for choosing Him, myself and my family over a superficial attempt to people please with a half-hearted “yes”.
Stewarding Resources: Generosity Over Hoarding
Everything we have—our finances, possessions, and talents—is a gift from God, entrusted to us to manage well. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Stewarding my resources in 2025 means:
Budgeting with generosity: This year I would like to steward our finances well. In the past I have given this responsibility to my partner, but moving forward I want to have an active role in choosing how to spend my money, time, and talents to help others.
Decluttering my life: This year I plan to free myself from excess possessions and focus on what adds value to my life and others’. I have decided that I will narrow my wardrobe to three pieces of each type of clothing (3 skirts, 3 jeans, 3 shirts, etc) and that I will not buy additional clothes until I can fit into what I was wearing before I had my second child. I also want to do a better job at using what I have before buying something new so that I don’t give into overconsumption.
Investing wisely: I plan to spend my finances this year on experiences, education, and opportunities that align with my faith and purpose.
Stewarding Relationships: Building Connection and Community
God created us for connection—with Him and with others. Stewarding relationships means prioritizing the people God has placed in my life. Romans 12:10 reminds us to “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” I have really been fixated on the five people I am around the most. Someone close to me said that you become like the five people you spend the most time with, so I want to be intentional about the circles and company that I am engaged with. In 2025, I want to consider:
Intentional connection: Schedule regular time with loved ones to build stronger bonds.
Active listening and presence: Be fully present in my conversations and relationships.
Extending grace: Practice forgiveness and gratitude in my interactions, reflecting God’s love and mercy.
Stewarding Skills: Growing and Sharing Talents
God has equipped each of us with unique gifts and talents to serve Him and others. First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” In 2025, steward my skills by:
Investing in growth: Take steps to develop my talents through education, mentorship, or practice.
Sharing my gifts: I want to use my skills to serve my community and state. I would like to get civically engaged in causes I care about, and want to continue growing my nonprofit Rooted.
Stepping out in faith: Embrace challenges that push me to grow and rely on God’s strength.
Choose Abundance Every Day
This year I want to commit to stewarding my time, resources, relationships, and skills in ways that reflect God’s love and faithfulness. With every step forward, I can live fully, give freely, and grow purposefully. Let 2025 be the year we choose abundance over fear and faith over doubt. Let me know in the comments what you plan to do in 2025. Thanks for reading my blog and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter!
