"Give an account of your stewardship." Luke 16:2 NKJV

Stewardship

The issue of "ownership" is a key point in understanding biblical stewardship. A steward doesn't own the property he manages, so he needs to handle things with an eye to pleasing his boss, the owner. Today that rubs us the wrong way. We think, "My time is my own. My abilities are mine to use in the advancement of my career because I'm the one who worked hard to develop them. This is my stuff, bought and paid for." The Bible says, "What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" (1 Cor. 4:7 NKJV). Every good thing you have is a gift from God - try to keep that in mind!

Like a wise investor, a good steward does three things:

1. He looks to the future. He refuses to be influenced or sidetracked by those who are 'blowing' everything they have on immediate pleasures, living just for the moment.

2. He is disciplined and patient. He remains steady through the highs and lows of life, understanding that "in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Gal. 6:9 NKJV).

3. He takes risks for the benefit of his boss. Not foolish risks, but prayed-over and carefully thought-out risks. No investor can be totally sure his financial future won't come crashing down if something drastic happens. But here's the difference: When we follow God's plan for our lives, even if we lose some of it on earth, we can still gain much more in heaven.