JOHN SHIRK – Stewardship is the management of someone else’s property or finances.

We have been entrusted by God to take care of His resources.  Psalm 24:1 tells us that “the earth is the LORD’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”  So, whatever God provides for us to take care of ultimately belongs to God.  Even our own bodies belong to God.  We are accountable to God for the way in which we use material possessions. If we are committed to honoring God with our lives, we will be more conscious about the way we use God’s resources.

This is highlighted in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.  Jesus talked about the man who had five talents and at once put his money to work.  The same thing happened with the person who received two talents. But the man who received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.  At the return of the master, each person was called to account for how they used what they were given.  For those who put their money to use, the master said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This is the smile of heaven on the person who uses what they’ve been given to build God’s kingdom.

Stewardship is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com