Mastering Stewardship

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?  And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money…

“You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.'” Luke 16:10-13,15a

Being faithful in a very little requires understanding of faithfulness (the quality of being loyal and steadfast; fidelity, constancy, devotion), and the Master who has entrusted us with the very little (What do you have that you did not receive?.. All things come from you, O Lord). Being faithful is the deliberate engaging between the two. The Almighty owns all things, tangible and intangible. He has loaned us everything we manage, no matter the size or scope. Therefore, we owe it to Him to be a good steward of what He’s entrusted to us and bring Him the due He deserves. (1 Chronicles 29:11-14; Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17)

To be a good steward of the Master, we must know Him, and our proper relationship to Him. Stewardship gets messed up when we think we own everything and twist its definition to usage, which easily distorts into misuse, or indulgence, or waste. When we think ourselves chief, we tend to things toward our own ends, but when we serve the Lord over self, our motive is elevated and we take care of what is His in honor of Him. Which is it for us?

Once we’ve mastered our subservient position before the Lord of all the earth, we need to master our handling of His gifts. How do we view opportunities the Lord gives us to serve and honor Him? They are not ours to squander in selfishness, but His to seize with gratitude. With material goods, how well do we supervise, maintain, and put to constructive use what He’s given us? How attune are we to the needs of others, and how readily do we share? Are we generous with resources, means, and talents, or stingy? (Proverbs 19:17)

How about the people the Lord has brought into our lives? Are we valuing friendship by care, concern, and lavish encouragement to help them flourish? How vigilantly do we guard confidences, and reputations? Are we more prone to gossip that is detrimental to other image-bearers, or to listening keenly, speaking truth, and anointing others with blessing? How well do we care for those younger in the faith, or weak, or hungry? (1 Thessalonians 5:12-14)

What needs to change in our attitude, priorities, and daily actions for the Lord to say, Well done, good and faithful servant? (Matthew 25:21)

My Master, help me treat every bit You entrust as great and valuable and worthy of most careful guarding and investment, so You name and grace are magnified.