Hitting some BIG drives to support our Scholarship Fund
Over the past few weeks, I have been reflecting on the idea and word "Stewardship". I prepared a devotional last week for our monthly staff meeting, and thought I would share it with you. I am grateful for all I have, and strive to do what God's called me to do with everything He’s given me. Am I perfect in this? NO WAY, but don't miss the point – we need to strive for a higher level of integrity and responsibility, not only in the choices we make for ourselves but how we use the resources and gifts that God has given us. Hope you enjoy :)
When you think of stewardship, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Many of us will think first of money or tithing, and many references in God’s word to being a good steward or exercising faithful stewardship is related to financial giving. However, finances are not the only area where God expects us to be good stewards. Stewardship is directly connected to what we know about who God is, what he’s given us, and how that knowledge shapes our lives.
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1
We belong to God, and everything in this world also belongs to him. Only He can claim ownership over all, but that does not surrender our responsibility for taking care of those gifts while we have use of them.
Our treasures, talents, and the opportunities we have in this life are all God-given gifts, and how we use those gifts determine not only if we make good decisions in this life, but whether or not we honor God with our faithfulness in those decisions.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Think about the blessings in your life for a moment. Maybe you have your ‘dream’ job or you have a family and are raising children. Maybe you are in a financial position to never worry about paying your bills and providing for your family. What do you do with these blessings? Are you grateful or do you complain? Do you recognize that the Lord has given you these gifts, or do you praise yourself for all your ‘hard work’? Do you keep these fruits to yourself or do you make it a priority to bless others with what you have?
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
There is an excellence that is expected of us as followers of Christ – in everything we do, down to the very being of who we are. This isn’t something we can pretend to accomplish or claim to be – there is a genuineness in our hearts that comes with living in His grace. With that grace comes great responsibility and high expectations, but ultimately, it becomes a joyfulness that is reflected through our stewardship.
