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Stewardship
Though I don’t think stewardship is something that most people think about, stewardship is a concept that is often on my mind. I am a steward, whether good or bad, of many good things I have been given, including:
- Time
- Relationships
- Opportunities (job/hobbies etc.)
- Money/Resources
With each of these good gifts, sometimes I use them selfishly on myself. But through Jesus, I want more and more to put others first and use them to make the world a better place.
Every day I want to spend undistracted, quality time in prayer and meditating with God and in His word. This is the best use of my time. I want to utilize my thoughts, words, and actions to encourage and inspire and build up those I encounter. I want to be a joy to be around for my family, my friends, my co-workers, even the people I pass by in the grocery store. Time and people are precious because this life moves quickly. Without spending much time with God and Jesus, I cannot be who I am supposed to be.
Because humans are made in God’s image, we are made for deep relationships with other people. I am grateful for all the people who love and support me. At times I neglect them and get caught up in life, but without my close relationships and my relationship with Jesus, life would be too difficult. I am grateful and I find much joy in my relationships.
I have a great job, and good group of friends. I enjoy spending time outside and playing sports with other people. I don’t wish to take any of those activities for granted. I was bedridden for 2 months earlier this year in recovery from a prolonged ankle injury. It made me realize how many opportunities that I have that some do not have. I never want to let any good opportunities slip by because I was too prideful or arrogant or distracted or fearful.
I am also given a certain amount of money and food and clothing and shelter. I realize that none of these things truly are mine. God wants me to enjoy the good gifts I have been given, but I am not supposed to use what I have to live a life of excess and luxury. I want to give back much to those in need and I want to have my home and other things be open to others.
I am imperfect, but may I continue to grow.
How do you use the resources you have been so richly given?
What can you do to become a better steward?
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Check out a story Jesus tells about stewards in Matthew 25:14-30.
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,[b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
