One of the great qualities of a leader is stewardship. As followers of Jesus it is pertinent that we be accountable to the resources God has given us.
While finances are connected to the word stewardship, it involves much more than our money. Our commitment to stewardship will determine the quality of every facet of our life on earth.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10
The following are four key principles of Stewardship.
FINANCES
The bible references money and possessions 2350 times. It is more than Jesus talked about love, heaven and hell combined. It is good to remind ourselves that the earth is the Lords and everything in it. The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:8
The importance of finances play a significant role in our lives as Christians. Real charity doesn’t care if it is tax deductible or not. Everything we have belongs to God in the first place. As leaders, we must be good examples of charity. Live modestly and responsibly.
After taking care of our families the Bible places significant importance on feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping the stranger, the widow, the fatherless in relieving the wants of mankind. In as much as you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me. Matt 25:35-40
TIME
Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is time for everything under the sun. There are many inequities in the world, one thing we all have in common is the same amount of time each day.
We live in a performance driven world spurned by the need for immediate information, next day delivery, to the pressure of accomplishing important goals while sometimes neglecting other priorities.
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Unfortunately, Christians and leaders can be the worse off in the management of time. We have our jobs, we volunteer, we have kids of different age groups going every direction, parent teacher’s meetings, church activities going on half way across the city. It’s exhausting and there just isn’t enough time.
I remember as a young pastor’s wife feeling the pressure of having to have a calendar full of activities. The old-school thinking was better to burn out than rust out. Too many meetings, programs, organizations…go go go.
In Mark 6, the disciples having returned from a busy time of ministry gathered around Jesus and wanted to tell him about everything that had happened. After listening he turned to them and said in verse 31, come with me privately and rest awhile.
While time is a resource and must be spent, it might do us good to evaluate how we are spending that precious commodity and free up more time to develop vital relationships with people and family.
Teach us to consider our mortality so that we might live wisely. Ps 90:12
TALENTS/GIFTS
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
We are blest with people who serve, inspire and encourage. 1 Peter 4:10
There are those with business and organizational skills who give of their time to others. The gifts of hospitality and serving are invaluable.
Artists and musicians who have painted beautiful breathtaking portraits of our world and given us beautiful stories in song and music are priceless gifts.
Mother Teresa said we are all called to do something beautiful for others.
OUR WORLD
Psalm 8: 5-9 – tells us that God has made us custodians over the earth. All that God created has been left to our care.
Environment Canada indicates that every person produces about 1.8 kg per day which is about 30 million tons annually. This waste ending up in our landfills affects our water and soil,
May we by God’s grace, be good stewards.
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