I've been thinking a lot about stewardship lately. Might seem like a boring subject at first glance - but I think in reality it's a very significant spiritual principal that many of us overlook. To take good care of what God's given you; to invest it wisely; to see an increase - pretty serious stuff. When I consider what it means to be a good steward... honestly, it's convicting.
I remember when I first started dating my husband. I would go to his parents house and I was amazed. Not by wealth or fancy stuff but by HOW WELL they took care of what they had. Everything looked like new. I remember thinking how much time and energy must be spent cleaning off the grill after each meal or hosing off the lawnmover after each use to keep it looking sparkly new. I remember thinking that was too much work and they should just use their stuff and replace it as needed. Just use stuff up, wear it out and buy new again. What spoiled, immaturity.
After marrying my husband, I grew to appreciate how he takes care of things. Ok, he might not be as particular as his parents, but his stuff still looks better than mine. He knows the value of things and he wants to take care of what God's given him.
This concept of taking care of what you've been given goes far beyond your toaster or your lawnmower. I see now how we also need to be good stewards of our hearts, of our relationships, of our children, of our talents, of our homes, cars, clothes, etc., etc.
There are two verses that come to mind when I think about how we are asked to steward ourselves and our stuff. The first says something like - if you are a good steward with a little, more will be given to you. The second verse says - to whom much is given, much will be required. Ok... so if we take care of (clean, fix, maintain, pay for) the small, inexpensive house then we will be given a bigger one? maybe. But what about that second part - when much is given to us MUCH MORE IS REQUIRED... ie. more cleaning, more fixing, more maintenance, more money to pay the thing off! Sounds like a lot MORE work.
With blessing - comes work. What a concept. It seems most of the time we want to win the lottery and ignore the taxes and the work of managing and investing the money we've won! We want to be blessed and lazy - basically.
I've also been thinking about this idea of stewardship as it relates to our talents. I have very gifted children (as do all of us) and when I look at them I think - wow... much will be required of you. God has entrusted you with some amazing skills, abilities and talents and I know HE would love to use those - to work through you... if you'll let Him.
But of course, we can say no. We can say no, I don't want to clean, fix and maintain my gifts - I want to be blessed and lazy. Then what? That reminds me of the old adage - use it or lose it. Does that apply to the material possessions as well? maybe. If we don't take care of what we've been given, do we lose it? maybe.
I want to be a good steward. I thank God for the examples of stewardship that He has placed in my life. Those who take care of their things, those who take care of their hearts, their relationships, their talents. Those who have been dilligent with the small things, have been blessed with much more, and are fullfilling the requirements that go along with it all.
because... much is required.
