Thursday, October 29, 2026

            Stewardship is a rich word.  It suggests that a steward is managing resources, money and possibly property that belongs to someone else.  The steward does not own these things.  But the steward keeps a watchful eye on these assets and applies a skillful hand to ensure that these assets are used and maintained in a way that honors the owner.  A synonym for stewardship might be trust.  Today, people create trusts that are managed for them by someone else who has a fiduciary obligation to act and to manage the trust in the best interest of the owner.  All of these perspectives speak to the way we relate to God’s blessings and gifts.  God has given us resources and assets to use for His glory and for the good of Kingdom work.  Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10).  This principle governs how we are to see what God has given to us. 
            The Bible teaches that the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Psalm 24:1).  The whole creation belongs to God because, in the beginning, He made everything that exists (Genesis 1:1).  Jesus teaches us that God often gives us roles and responsibility in proportion to how well we have done with what He has already entrusted to us.  If we serve well, God can open doors for us to serve in greater ways.  If we struggle to be good stewards with small things, we have little reason to believe that God will give us greater opportunities.  One important way that we demonstrate our stewardship is by tithing on what God has given to us.  The tithe in the Bible is 10% of what God has provided to you.  A person who has made $100 would have a tithe of 10% that God calls that person to return to Him. 
            As we look at how God has blessed us, we want to see the ways we may be able to use those blessings for the good of the Kingdom and to help others know the gospel.  God may have given you specific talents and abilities that you can translate into ways to serve Him.  We all have the gift of time.  If God allows you to wake up in the morning, then you have been gifted a day that you can use to serve Him.  This day is not your own.  Indeed, the Bible teaches that today (or any day) is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).  A good question to ponder shortly after waking up is how you will use this new day that has been gifted to you by the Lord. 
            We should hold on to our blessings lightly and with open hands.  God could at any moment present us with an occasion to use what He has given to use and to open our hands in obedience.  We can all be tempted to hold tightly to what we have and to see our blessings as occasions to bless ourselves rather than to honor God.  To be a good steward, we have to keep four truths in mind.  First, God is the biggest giver.  Everything we have comes from Him.  We deserve nothing based on our sins but God graciously blesses us from the generosity of His heart.  Second, God blesses and equips us to serve Him wherever He leads us or stations us.  Our eyes and ears should be open for situations where we can steward well what God has provided to us.  Third, blessings never run out. We do not have to squeeze or ration our blessings.  God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) and has a bottomless well of blessings to offer us.  We can freely use and share what He has already given.  He knows what we need and how well we have used what we already possess.  And finally, we serve the Lord.  We are His stewards.  And one day, we will account for what we have done with all the things we have been given—money, time, blessings, opportunities and responsibilities.  Steward all things as well as you can. Live for the glory of God and trust that He will provide for you as you steward everything for Him.  Have a great Thursday!