When you think about stewardship, what is the first thing that pops in your mind? Money. Right! But, why? Surely you know and I know that stewardship ain’t (yes, I know “ain’t” isn’t proper grammar, and I really debated on whether to use this non-word at all, but it does get one’s attention, huh?) all about money.
Then why have I been living like it is? Why do most of us live like it is? All about money I mean.
Oh, I can squeeze a budget; find the best price on any product in town. I [almost] never pay full price for anything and seldom make a purchase without a coupon. I repurpose, reuse and recycle. I even DIY. I save my family lots of money every month, and thousands every year.
That makes me a wise and faithful steward right?
♦Even though I have a load of towels sitting on my couch that’s been waiting to be folded all week?
♦Even though I’ve been procrastinating a DIY bed painting project that’s left my daughters sleeping on mattresses on the floor for…a year?
♦Even though my Christmas tree once stayed up until May? Seriously! Undecorated but still up nonetheless.
♦Even though God has laid numerous ideas for meaningful, inspirational posts about Stewardship at Home on my heart, but I daily misuse my time and I haven’t written one of them?
♦Even though I’ve gained 20 pounds of flab in the last three years because of poor food choices and lack of physical activity?
♦Even though I can’t do even ONE push up, or go on a bike ride with my kids?
♦Even though I sit down to “check my email or Facebook” and somehow lose hours of valuable time?
I think you see where I’m going with this.
Faithful stewardship is not all about money. It is about disciplining every area of my (your) life, every material possession, every blessing seen or unseen, and every resource within our reach so that it brings glory to God. It’s living intentionally in all areas of life as a whole, not compartmentalizing.
I have not been a faithful steward. I really need to get my ducks in a row. You?
But let’s not be too hard on ourselves and forget grace. Let’s be grateful for a patient and loving Heavenly Father who shows us our shortcomings and then meets us right where we are with the strength to overcome. Let’s be grateful for the help He gives to be doers rather than just hearers.
So I continue the journey, one small but effective step at a time. Will you join me?
Thank you for this! Hit me right in the heart. These are some of the things God has been whispering to me, and I’ve been ignoring.
I do love your emails, thank you for letting the Lord work through you to touch others.
Hi Barb,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I was to receive your message. Sometimes as a blogger, you wonder how many people are really reading what you write or how many are really being helped. God has been laying so many things on my heart to write in 2016 and your email confirmed that I need to be obedient to actually write them. Thank you for obeying His prompting to share your heart and encourage me.
I hope you have a wonderful week.
Amanda