Stewardship #lifelesson

Stewardship. What an ancient concept. The very phrase conjures up memories of J.R.R. Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. In which Denethor is the Steward of the ancient city of Gondor called Minas Tirith, and his privilege and responsibility is to care for the city until the Return of the King.  This example of stewardship is an accurate one. There may be glamour at times, but more likely than not you will be held responsible for failings and forgotten for praise. It all comes with the territory of being given something you don't own. At the same time, the honor of being distinguished in such a way can make it worthwhile. Still, I can't help but remember this example of stewardship, one which I believe accurately epitomizes the concept.

As I grew up I'd always heard the term 'stewardship' used in a monetary context. One must steward the resources God has blessed one with, so you can not only give back to God, but to those around you. This is a perfectly appropriate use of the term because I believe what we are given monetarily we are to hold in-trust. I'd also heard about using the 'talents' we have for God which is another way of referencing stewardship of the gifts we have been entrusted with. For some reason, I totally missed out on the accountability I have before God for the talents He has given me. I understood the part where we were supposed to use them in a manner where we thought was appropriate and brought God the most glory, but totally glossed over the fact that there would be consequences if I didn't. To use a personal example, I have been gifted with an ability to interact with people. Some call this people skills, others call it, well you're just jealous (grin). To seek a profession where I cloistered myself away from people would not be a proper use of my talents, and therefore I don't believe would be the best way of impacting people and honoring God. Believe me, you can try to pretend you don't have certain skills, or you can even hide them under a bushel. I myself wanted to justify the development of other skills which would make me feel better about considering a full-time position which I recently was offered, but I couldn't see that choice as a proper use of my ability. I wouldn't be using what I've been given as well as I could have. For that, I am going to be held accountable. As harsh as this may sound, for this you will be held accountable.

The "Stewardship lens" as I like to call it, can be pointed at every facet of our lives, and indeed I believe should be. This can include but is not limited to, money, time, entertainment, employment, travel...etc. When things are highlighted, what will you do with the uncomfortable thoughts of accountability and responsibility? The very fact you're still breathing is an indicator you can adjust your attitude and seek to adjust your mindset towards this area of stewardship within every facet of your life. For some, this will be a new realization. For others, a potential prick of the conscience which has become dulled to any moral reality. My hope is if there is a moral prick that you won't let it simply die away, but seek to change your attitude (or better yet pray for help in this adjustment).

For me, this realization has also led to an incredible sense of freedom! Yup, FREEDOM! Yes, you may bellow the war-call from the classic film Braveheart if it will help you imagine the impact of this for me (however historically inaccurate the film may be). Anyway, the opposite of stewardship is control. Grasping, miserly, desperately miserable control. The tighter you squeeze, the quicker you're going to lose whatever you're trying so desperately to hold onto. As I've been coming to find out in my own life, when I try to control how things go, they don't go very well. In fact, they generally don't go anywhere at all. Period. Enter in the realization that I am merely a steward (of my life, talents, money, etc.). Well then if I'm merely a steward, then that must mean there is Someone else who all these things belong to. Also, I'm not ultimately in control, but He is. Which means I can't wreck things beyond repair. Which means I can take my hands off of the steering wheel and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He (God if you haven't figured that out by now) will do a much better job of controlling what I can't do anything about anyway. All I can do is trust Him, and continue to do my best to steward those things He has chosen to entrust into my care; the very essence of stewardship.