Stewardship of Life

Disclaimer: The context of this article is only based on my acquired learnings from the speaker during the lecture in our Family Fellowship yesterday.

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When you hear the word ‘stewardship’, what idea instantly comes to mind? If you answer “having something in your possession” your answer is correct, however, the bottom line of this word is more than that. It covers up everything we have in ownership, both in the perspective of the worldly and biblical principles. Our life, for example, is one of the possessions entrusted to us, thus, we became a steward, being responsible and accountable for it, which leads to the concept of stewardship. Let's take a look at the different angle of the definition of the word stewardship.

Worldly Definition:

Stewardship is an act of being a steward , wherein, you are in control or maintenance of something, especially one that functions. Planning and managing resources responsibly is the essence of the stewardship ethic. The principles of stewardship can be used in a variety of contexts, including the natural world, business, health, education, and other fields.

Biblical Definition:

Stewardship is utilizing and managing all the resources that God entrusted for his glory. It is also the central essence of biblical view which manages something that brings glory to God. Becoming a steward of life is important for it helps you know yourself.

1.) Stewardship of life refers to your first purpose.

We Christians believe that everything did not happen just by chance, and, we believe that it happens for a purpose. Resemblant to this, our existence means something.

1.1 It talks about how spiritually-driven you are before the Lord.

A Christian can be categorized into 2: worldly-driven and spiritually driven, albeit of being Christians. The sad reality is that, Christians are often involved in the worldly activities which may ruin their image in front of the unbelievers.

We Christians must remember our purpose in Matthew 28:19-20,

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

1.2 It simply talks about your usefulness and dedication before God.

We need to remember that as Christians, we have duties to do: to know God and make Him known. Since God gave us life, it is our devoir to glorify him by showing our usefulness and dedication before Him. However, life can sometimes be rough which extinguishes the fire within ourselves and sometimes question God's existence. Little did we know, were just too far from. Therefore, in times of our hardships, we must draw nearer to God.

2.) Stewardship of life refers to your time.

2.1 It simply reminds you of your remaining days, months and years.

Psalms 90:10 (NV) states that,

“[As for] the days of our years, in them are seventy years; and if [men should be] in strength, eighty years; and the greater part of them would be labor and trouble; for weakness overtakes us, and we shall be chastened.”

Let's try to reflect this one. The bible states that a man shall only live for 70 years. How do you plan to spend it? Try subtracting your age to 70, and whatever the difference is, try to imagine how are you gonna spend it. Since God gave us life, we must think of a good way to spend, especially in a divine way.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) also reminds us that,

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

The primary reason why God lets us to wake up is to do something for him.

2.2 Above all, it reminds the time you've spent to God through the opportunity he put on your shoulder.

2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that,

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us(A) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. ”

We are reminded that at the end of the day, we are held accountable for everything that we do. We must use our life and our remaining time to glorifying the God who gave us life and time. We not should also wait being bedridden or unable, before wanting to do all the things that God instructed us to do, thus, use your time well. Now, in the scale of 1-10, how much can you rate yourself base on your performance in God's ministry?

3.) Stewardship of life talks about your focus and priority.

Matthew 6:21 says that,

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Now, try asking yourself, “where and who your treasure is right now? In life, we have plenty of focus and priority. But, have you ever had placed God as your top priority? Or, you only did prioritize your habit? This habit, in an instant, will become your focus, will turn out to be your treasure and the worst is, will become your idol. If serving God is our habit, He will become our focus, our treasure, and the sweetest thing is, He will become our idol. No one else.

Conclusion:

Stewardship of life pertains to the purpose, time, focus and priority. If you're not faithful in Him, when it comes to these things, therefore, you are not a faithful steward. He who is faithful in little is he who is faithful in much. As a steward of life that God bestowed upon us, it is our duty to glorify and please him. The primary reason why God lets us to wake up is to do something for him. Therefore, we should not waste the remaining seconds, minutes, or hours in life. We should use it positively so that at the end of the day when the judgment happens, we will be blameless.

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You can also check the related articles below:

Stewardship in Material Things by @dauntless_marquess

Stewardship in Spiritual Things by @lonestranger

ENJOY READING! STAY SAFE AND GOD BLESS.