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How Do You Steward What God Has Blessed You With?
Stewardship in the Bible is one of the essential topics that most often get overlooked by those who claim to be followers of Christ. But also, the term “stewardship” comes with a vast set of beliefs and ideas and is often misunderstood, misused or only partially grasped. Often, it’s confused with “tithing” as described in Scripture.
Technically, the term “Stewardship” is the activity of one who is a steward, who is entrusted by someone with the careful and responsible management of the things that belong to the other.
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “steward”?
- Do you immediately think about money and finances?
- Do you hear appeals to giving to a church financial campaign?
- Does taking care of the environment come to mind?
- Does the faith development of children and others who are new to the faith surface?
- Do you have a sense that you are supposed to provide for those who are in distress or
- cannot fend adequately for themselves?
- Does the idea of forgiveness or mercy enter your thoughts about stewardship?
All of these ideas and much more are parts of what it means to demonstrate and display a life of stewardship. But they don't paint a complete picture of the biblical meaning to live out and embody stewardship. Stewardship isn't just a theory; it's a way of life that's exercised in our daily decisions. In short: Biblical stewardship is one of the primary ways Christ calls us to live. It’s a calling rooted in creation, highlighted throughout the Bible, and influences the way you reflect the glory of God'
But we must first wrestle with the sense of being a steward – is it something we are commanded to do, even unwillingly? Or is it a way of life that we must “decide” to follow joyfully and with hope?
Bible verses abound on these topics, and we’ll visit some of them in the coming year. But the first step, in my mind, that we have to take is about our approach to the subject – is it what we do willingly or grudgingly? And what motivates us – is it love and gratitude or is it fear and losing control?
A right mind is a good place to start in any journey of building a life of stewardship.
Shalom.
Pr. Mark
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