Stewardship: the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.
Stewardship is a concept that was taught to me as a child/teen. You could say that it is a foundational truth in my life. Stewardship is the undergirding reason I do many of the things in my life.
From the taking care of my house to the taking care of my body to caring for relationships, stewardship plays an integral role.
Stewardship implies that someone else owns whatever you are caring for. From a house steward taking care of someone else's house/land to a flight steward overseeing the needs and property of a company and it's clients-a steward is taking care of someone else's goods.
That is a Biblical concept right there.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God with your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Stewardship is the reason I fill in holes in my walls with spackle and then paint.
Stewardship is the reason I clean the fingerprints off the doorjambs and scrub the toilets (even if I'd rather do anything else).
Stewardship is the reason I run miles and miles. And swim and bike. To keep this body strong and healthy to serve God. As a mom, a wife, a woman.
Stewardship is the reason I say no to some things I'd like to eat. It is the reason I aim to eat mostly healthy.
Stewardship is the reason I shave my legs, brush my teeth, shower, wear make up, get dressed, and do all that other primping.
Stewardship is the reason I save my money.
Stewardship is the reason I give away my money. Stewardship is the reason I pray about the who's, what's, where's and how's of giving.
Stewardship is the reason I give away my money. Stewardship is the reason I pray about the who's, what's, where's and how's of giving.
Stewardship is the reason I pay my bills on time and pay any attention to finances at all.
Stewardship is the reason I teach my kids-the Bible, chores, schoolwork. They've been entrusted to my care. Their education (in the broadest and narrowest senses) has been entrusted to me. By God.
Stewardship is the reason I choose to give my dusting and other chores a lick and a promise on occasion-in order to build relationships.
Stewardship is the reason I get so much done in a day. I want to be found faithful in the tasks I've been called to. A housewife, mom, wife, business owner, writer, school teacher.
Stewardship is the basic realization that none of these resources or people belong to me. They all belong to God. But they have been entrusted to me. To care for. To use well and faithfully. To use and care for to the glory of God.
Stewardship applies to my resources and gifts-tangible and intangible. My abilities and strengths. Even my weaknesses. Everything.
Stewardship is the reason I don't look down on the Proverbs 31 woman. I don't need to do everything she did. But, stewardship was one of her underlying godly characteristics.
Stewardship is the reason I often will make something instead of buying it.
Stewardship is the reason I often will make something instead of buying it.
It's not vanity. Though it can be.
It's not aiming for perfection. Though I fight that too.
It's not thinking I am better than others who do things differently.
It's between me and my Master. He is the One to whom I will give an account one day.
What did you do with what I gave you, Ms. Barefoot Hippie Girl?
I am hoping to hear the words, "well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of thy Lord."
This is how the idea of stewardship has shaped my life. I am not saying it is right or wrong. It is just how this concept makes me tick.
This is how the idea of stewardship has shaped my life. I am not saying it is right or wrong. It is just how this concept makes me tick.
What is your idea of stewardship?
