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Godly Stewardship

What has God given you to manage and oversee in your life? Finances, jobs, businesses, assets, relationships, talents, time, just to name a few. We can always want more and have better in our lives: more money, more resources, more friends, more time, gifts, and energy; a better marriage, better job, better business, better opportunities. Sometimes we ask God for all these things, but it’s what you are doing with what you currently have that will affect your future and what God will bless you with in life. Jesus said in Luke 16:10, “If you are faithful in the little things, you will be faithful in the large ones. But if you are dishonest in the little things, you won’t be honest with the greater responsibilities.” God is watching our lives to see what we are doing with what He has already given us. He won’t entrust us with more until we are trusted with the little things.

We need to have Godly stewardship in our lives so that we can receive the bigger and better that God has for us, the increase that you’ve been asking God for. So, what is Godly stewardship, and what does it look like in our lives?

Godly stewardship means having an obedient heart. Are you keeping God at the center of all you do? Trusting Him to guide you, and listening to His direction in every area of your life? Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” I don’t know about you, but managing everything in life can be overwhelming and difficult at times. But if you allow God to come walk with you through it, He will give you the wisdom you need to manage everything the right way with excellence in your life.

Godly stewardship means having integrity. Being honest, consistent, operating with Godly principles, incorruptible character, showing up on time, and being a person of your word are all ways to have integrity in your life. In one of my first jobs out of college, God told me, “Work hard at doing what’s right.” I took that to heart and applied it to every job I’ve had since then, as well as every area of my life. Not cutting corners, dotting every “i” and crossing every “t,” making the most of all my time and resources, getting understanding, and being the best me for my employer, my family, and for God every day. Colossians 3:23 says, “work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” I believe the Lord saw my willingness to work hard with a Godly character, and He entrusted me with open doors of opportunity: jobs and better jobs, promotions, raises and bonuses, and management positions throughout my career. He’s blessed me in every area of my life with an amazing wife, children, family, friends, house, church, and so much more than I could have ever dreamed or hoped for.

Godly stewardship means being generous. You can be generous in every area of your life: spiritually, physically, and financially. What are you doing with your time, gifts, and finances? Are you using them to serve God and others, or just consuming them all for yourself? Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and the best part of everything you produce. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” And in Luke 6:38, Jesus says, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” God sees your generosity, and when you honor the Lord by giving back to Him and sharing with others. It shows God that you trust Him as your provider, and He will cause you to increase and overflow in every area of your life!

Reflection and Application:

1. Take some time to reflect on what God has given you and entrusted you to oversee in your life. Write it down on paper and make a list of what you think of.

2. What areas have you been obedient to God in your life? Are there any areas that you have not followed God or allowed him to be a part of? Ask God to reveal any areas in which you have not been following Him.

3. Do you operate with integrity in all that you do? Have you been lazy, cut corners, or been inconsistent in any areas in your life? Ask God to show you how you can have integrity in the small things so that He can trust you with the greater things He has for you.

4. Have you been generous to God and others, giving back and sharing with what you have?

5. Think about your time, gifts, and energy. Where does it all go to? Has God been in your thoughts, or in great measure excluded from them? How can you include God, your spouse, your children, and others more in your life?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you have given me and entrusted me with. Help me to be a good steward over every area of my life. Teach me, train me, build me up, and encourage me to be all that I can be for you and others. Help me work hard to do what’s right in the little things so you can trust me with greater responsibilities. In Jesus’ name. Amen.