Stewardship is more than most people think it is.  Part of stewardship does involve how you handle your money or treat the environment, but it’s about SO much more than that.  Stewardship is the act of being the responsible and faithful administrator for anything that has been given to you or entrusted to you.  It doesn’t matter if you’re the sole owner, or if you’re part of an owner’s group or if it’s a sacred trust.  We must care for the things we have whether those things be time, treasure, or talents.

Let’s start with time.  The Rolling Stones were wrong.  Time is NOT on your side.  I admit I used to watch soap operas.  “Like sand through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives”.  None of those days are guaranteed; each one is a gift.  Carpe Diem – seize the day!  This is one time when I like “The Message” translation of Romans 12:11 “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.”  The Complete Jewish Bible says “Don’t be lazy when there’s hard work to do.”  I like that too.  Ephesians 5:15-16 says “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  Indeed.  If you have nothing else, then you probably have lots of time.  Give of it lavishly and use it wisely.

Treasure.  That’s a toughie.  I’ve spent a lot of time collecting a lot of treasure.  The Bible is once again correct; moth and rust are destroying most of my earthly treasure.  It’s a good thing my heart’s treasure is safe.  Matthew 6:21 says ^“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  If you look at my collection of stuff, you’ll know it’s true when I tell you “I came into this world with nothing, and I still have most of it left”.  I have found a more meaningful life than one based on owning things.  A study in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people derived meaningfulness from helping others, or being a “giver”, and a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who led meaningful lives have stronger immune systems.  A paper published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology reported that people around the world, even those in the poorer socioeconomic classes, were happier when they were spending their resources on others.  Open your eyes, your hearts and your hands.  What is most valuable is ours without our being able to gain it, keep it, or give it away.  Share your treasure generously and use it faithfully.

Finally – talents.  Romans 12:6-8 (NLT) says “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. EVERYONE has a talent for something; God says so!  That thing you do well is probably very valuable to someone or to an organization in need of your talents.  I’ll share these quotes to think about concerning talents; “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” -Thomas A. Edison.  “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.” – Erma Bombeck.  And finally, “Your talent is God’s gift to you.  What you do with it is your gift back to God.” – Leo Buscaglia.  Believe me; I’m writing to myself here as well to you.

© 2015 Curt Savage Media