The Nature of Stewardship: Embracing God's Design for Our Lives
In our fast-paced world of material pursuits and self-centered ambitions, we often lose sight of a fundamental truth that has the power to transform our entire perspective on life: we are stewards, not owners. This profound concept of stewardship is far more expansive and life-altering than many of us realize. It's not merely about managing our finances, though that's certainly part of it. Rather, stewardship is the fundamental orientation to life that, when properly understood and embraced, can bring immense joy and purpose to our existence.
The word "stewardship" might evoke images of financial planning or church fundraising campaigns, but its true meaning is much richer. It refers to the administration or management of something that belongs to another. Think of a flight attendant (once called a stewardess) who doesn't own the plane but has the responsibility to manage the orderliness of the flight and serve the passengers. This analogy gives us a glimpse into our role as stewards in God's grand design.
To truly grasp the nature of stewardship, we must start at the beginning - quite literally. The book of Genesis opens with a powerful declaration: "In the beginning, God..." These four words set the stage for everything that follows. As we read through the first chapter, we encounter a recurring phrase: "And God said." This repetition emphasizes a crucial point: God is the author of creation, the ultimate owner of everything.
This realization leads us to the first key principle of stewardship: God is the absolute owner of all things. The Psalms reinforce this truth, declaring, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1). Everything we touch, use, or claim as our own ultimately belongs to God. Our "ownership" is merely relative to other people, but in an absolute sense, we own nothing.
This truth should radically reshape our perspective on life. Every dollar in our wallet, every piece of jewelry we wear, every morsel of food we eat - all of it can be traced back to God's creation and provision. There is no escaping this reality, and it's fundamental to understanding our role as stewards.
Once we grasp God's ownership, we can begin to cultivate the proper attitude of stewardship. In Genesis 1:28, God gives humanity a mandate: "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." This is not a license for exploitation, but a call to responsible management of God's creation.
The attitude of a steward is one of gratitude and humility. We recognize that everything we have is a gift from God, and we're called to manage it wisely. Deuteronomy 8:10-18 warns against forgetting God when we prosper, reminding us that it is God who gives us the ability to produce wealth. Our success should lead us to thankfulness, not pride.
As stewards, we must also recognize the authority that governs our management. God, as the owner, provides instructions for how we should steward His property. These instructions are found in His Word, which gives guidance for every area of our lives - our relationships, our work, our finances, and more. By following God's instructions, we align ourselves with His purposes and experience the best results.
It's crucial to note that while stewardship involves limitations (like Adam and Eve being forbidden from eating from one specific tree), these limitations are always for our benefit and enjoyment. The Christian life is far more about what we can do than what we can't. The boundaries God sets are designed to enhance our freedom, not restrict it.
This brings us to a critical point: true freedom is not doing whatever we want, but having the power to do what we ought. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). This freedom comes from aligning ourselves with God's truth - the absolute standard by which reality is measured.
However, we face an adversary in our stewardship journey. Just as Satan tempted Adam and Eve to rebel against God's ownership and become "owners" themselves, he continually tries to distort our perspective. He wants us to focus on what we don't have, to grasp for control, and to forget our dependence on God. We must be vigilant against these deceptions, remembering that the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
Finally, we must remember that stewardship involves accountability. Sooner or later, God will remind us of who truly owns what. The story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden serves as a sobering reminder that we are answerable to God for how we manage what He has entrusted to us.
So, what does it mean to be a good steward? It means recognizing God's ownership of everything and our role as managers. It means cultivating an attitude of gratitude for all we've been given. It means seeking God's guidance in how we use our resources and talents. It means resisting the temptation to grasp for more than God intends for us. And it means living with the awareness that we will one day give an account for our stewardship.
As we embrace this perspective, we find that stewardship is not a burden but a blessing. It frees us from the relentless pursuit of ownership and control, allowing us to enjoy God's gifts with open hands. It gives purpose to our work, meaning to our relationships, and direction to our lives.
Let us, then, commit to being faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. May we use our time, talents, and resources in ways that honor Him and bless others. As we do, we'll discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from aligning our lives with God's design. For in the end, stewardship is not about what we own, but about who we serve and how well we manage the blessings we've been given. It’s a New Year, and with that comes a fresh start, lets move forward by having our thinking transformed by this Biblical principle of stewardship.
Pastor Aaron Butts
