In this episode of The Ordered Life Podcast, we explore what it truly means to be a good steward in life, relationships, and finances. Drawing on insights from John Paul II and the Catholic virtue tradition, we unpack how our sense of identity shapes the way we use money, and why detaching self-worth from wealth is essential for living with freedom and purpose.

We consider how easily money becomes a proxy for value and how difficult generosity becomes when giving feels like “giving away yourself.” We contrast this with the ordered life: a life grounded not in accumulation, but in who we are and the good we choose to pursue. Stewardship, we argue, is not merely about budgeting or managing resources; it’s the habit of seeing every financial decision as an opportunity for virtue, responsibility, and service.

Through practical examples and relatable stories (including an unexpected lesson from Monopoly), we outline how the virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude guide decision-making and help shape money into a tool that supports the good. We discuss how to pursue financial goals without falling into excess, how to resist comparing our worth to others, and how to cultivate generosity that flows from interior freedom.

Listeners seeking clarity, purpose, and an integrated approach to personal growth and finances will find this conversation both grounding and inspiring. Whether you’re early in your career, raising a family, or rethinking your relationship with money, this episode offers a hopeful and practical path toward living with greater discipline, balance, and intention.