Well Done: A Strategy for Life Stewardship

by Reagan Rose

Stewardship has too often become virtually synonymous with financial stewardship in the church. Reagan Rose breaks us out of that limiting concept and shows how the stewardship paradigm is a helpful framework through which to view the entirety of the Christian life. Part of the Institute for the Christian Life series.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

112 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2023

About the author

Reagan is the founder of Redeeming Productivity, a media ministry focused on a biblical approach to personal productivity. Reagan has a Master of Divinity from The Master's Seminary and lives in Michigan with his wife, Kim, and their two children.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there more to stewardship than managing money? In Well Done, Reagan Rose shares a strategy for life stewardship.


The Call to Stewardship

At just over 100 pages, this is a small yet mighty book. As a part of the Institute for the Christian Life Series from CLC Publications, it is packed with Scripture and excellently written. Rose shows that stewardship involves more than money – it is a calling upon your entire life.

As the founder of Redeeming Productivity, Rose is the perfect person to share about stewardship. Part 1 of the book is all about The Call to Stewardship. I was most interested to see that in the parable of the talents, the stewards didn’t just work for the master – but they were actually his slaves. The relationship between the slave and the steward is more like a household manager, and this gave new insight into how I am to manage or steward my own home, work, and ministry.


The Practice of Stewardship

Part 2 of the book examines The Practice of the Steward. Rose memorably calls us to steward our time, talents, and treasures. What I found most helpful was how Rose described “budgeting” our time. This was especially useful to me as I value the time I spend as a husband and father when I am at home. I was challenged to develop the habit of seeking opportunities that suit my abilities. This means to use my natural and spiritual talents well with wisdom.

The book concludes with an exhortation to faithful service and joyful stewardship. I am moved to make the most of what God has given me in terms of stewarding my life. I hope to hear him say well done!


I received a media copy of Well Done and this is my honest review.

[Lizzy Tonkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you know me, you know that wholistic stewardship is one of my soapboxes, so I was obviously thrilled to discover this book. Yet even for someone passionate about this subject, I struggled to engage with the book. I did not find Rose’s writing style to be particularly engaging or convicting - a necessity when using a written medium.

I did not feel that his writing was consistently definitive (e.g. in defining/explaining his terms) - one example was his persistent use of “Oliver Discourse” when referring to the Sermon on the Mount, yet refusal to use “Creation Mandate” (a much more commonly used and understood term) when discussing creation responsibilities. Also, a few times he loosely used “His kingdom” without clearly explaining in what context he meant (spiritual, physical, now, or future kingdom?).

The only theological issue I took with this book was his claim that the pain of childbirth was God’s curse on women — when in reality only the ground was cursed in the fall, mankind just suffered consequences to their actions, they themselves were not cursed….

Overall, I would recommend this book because it is possibly the only one in this space and it’s a conversation we need to more often have.

[Andrew Talavera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice little book about stewardship. Though, what I got most out of it were some little connections I made myself, which Reagan didn't elaborate on more. I liked the part about "no gift is too small from God" and any time he spoke on the feelings of servant with the 1-talent, like how he hated his master. I had more thoughts about how this servant with 1-talent must have felt envious of the other two servants; I wish Reagan would have covered this specific theme more deeply.

I'm giving this a 3 stars, which I think is an appropriate rating. I can tell Reagan is still developing as an author. It's not a bad read at all, and I think he accomplished what he set out to do.

There are probably better books out there on this topic, but I don't regret reading this :)

[Alan Rathbun · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a concise, yet broad view on stewardship, this book is a great choice. At only 108 pages, it’s not thorough, but it is helpful and is a great guide to thinking of all of life as stewardship. There are more comprehensive books on stewardship and Reagan Rose recommends his favorites of those works, but his aim here is to challenge you to invest your life with joy because God is so great and good. I recommend it.