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We've all heard the basics about how to handle money: give some to church, save some, spend wisely, avoid debt, follow a budget, and so on.

It's all part of "stewardship," a fancy word that means so much more than whether or not we put a certain amount into the offering plate on Sunday mornings.

What does "stewardship" really mean? Larry Burkett, who's long taught Christians how to better handle their money, has been answering that question for years. Stewardship is more about our attitude than anything else.

Here's how Larry explains it in one of his books:

Most of us have an upside-down view of money. We figure the money we have is ours; God's money is just the portion we put in the collection basket.

But God has a different view. As Lord and King, he owns everything—including the money we call our own. He has clear ideas of what he wants us to do with his money. We need to manage money according to God's plan.

I've come up with five steps to help you do this:

God has placed the toughest step of all right at the front. Once you accomplish this step—admitting that he owns everything—all the others will fall into place. Here's why.

God expects us, as Christians, to transfer ownership of every possession to him—money, time, parents, brothers, sisters, girlfriends, boyfriends, education, and things like cars, clothes, and other possessions.

Did I leave anything out? If I did, add it to your list. God expects it all. In fact, if you believe you own anything, that will affect your attitude.

It's important that you gain the proper understanding of stewardship. By Webster's definition, a steward is "one who manages another's property." We are merely stewards of God's property while we're here on Earth. God will not force his will on us. If we transfer everything to God, he will keep his promise to meet every need we have through physical, material and spiritual means.

There is absolutely no substitute for this first step.

First, you need to have a written plan of all the stuff you're thinking about buying, in order of importance. Determine whether each thing is a need, a want or a desire.

Needs are obvious—things like food and clothing. Wants can also appear awfully important. You may need a new pair of jeans, but does it have to be the most expensive kind? That's the difference in a need and a want.

Desires are tougher to define. They don't exactly seem like needs, but they could—if you rationalize them. Maybe the old clunker you're driving works fine, but if you got a new car, you wouldn't have to worry about it breaking down.

There's nothing wrong with desiring nice stuff. But if it rearranges your priorities, takes your attention from what's important, and gets you into debt, you're in trouble.

Second, open a savings account and put something into it every week or every month, regardless of how much. The amount isn't nearly as important as the act of doing it.

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