“The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”” Luke 12:42-44
A steward is someone who has been given charge over someone else’s wealth. The wealth may include possessions, financial resources and physical resources such as employees of the owner. The owner entrusts the steward with the care and keeping of whatever the wealth is with the expectation that the steward will do so in a manner that the wealth will increase.
Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;….”. God our Father is the owner of the entire cosmos and everything in it because “he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters” (Psalms 24:2) when he spoke it into existence. Adam and Eve were given stewardship over the earth and everything in it when God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28)
We are the present day stewards of the earth and this includes that we are to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
We are living through events associated with the coronavirus pandemic that is unlike anything I have experienced in my lifetime. I am both encouraged by how people are helping one another but also disappointed by stories of people looking after only their own interests. However, I must admit that at times I find that my own thoughts are more along the lines of looking after my own interest. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit gives me the “holy bother” when this occurs. But it is still my choice as to whether I will take those thoughts captive and replace them with “what is whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable (Philippians 4:8) May we be faithful and wise stewards of what God our Father has given us and to look after the interest of others as well as ourselves.
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” Titus 3:1-8
Blessings,
Kevin