Stewardship Reflections – October 2006

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,

the world, and those who live in it;

for he has founded it on the seas,

and established it on the rivers.

(Psalm 24: 1-3)

God owns it all says the psalmist, because he made it all. This is not my common way of thinking. I often speak about my belongings, too often in a possessive or greedy way. But the psalmist is very clear. He even includes me among the Lord’s possessions because he made me as well. What then is mine? And what is my relationship with all the things of this world that I control and use every day?

A fundamental part of stewardship is to acknowledge who owns everything, including our own beings. It is important to put this relationship in context before speaking about how to use “our” time, talents, and treasures. If I do not own even my own being, what are my responsibilities concerning that which I control? It makes me think about things in a very different light than my normal thoughts. I acknowledge that God has blessed me with many talents, and that he has placed me in an environment where I can use those talents both for my own good and work in his kingdom. But I like to think that I have achieved my position through my own hard work and dedication, that I have taken my talents such as they are and developed them to achieve my success. I like to think that I am in control of all that. The idea that I do not even own my own person is unsettling.

But God had a special role for human beings. In Genesis we read that God made us in His own image and that He gave us dominion over every living creature. In all creation, we were given the highest place. Why? Surely the idea that we have dominion means that we have the ability to use the treasures of the earth for the good of mankind, including ourselves. But the words seem to say that we can only use the treasures without any real transfer of ownership. God continues to “own” the things that we use. We only borrow them from Him. And it seems to me that this relationship means that we have a responsibility to care for that which God has given us.

The position of steward places us high in the order of things. In the bible, a steward is an honored servant who is given great responsibility in the master’s household. One familiar story is about Joseph when he was the steward of pharaoh in Egypt. The pharaoh placed Joseph in that position because he interpreted the pharaoh’s dream. But once in the position, Joseph had authority second only to the pharaoh’s own. This is a very high position of authority but also of responsibility. We hold similar places in God’s world with respect to the talents and treasures that He has entrusted to us. What an incredible responsibility. It makes me think about how I use my time, my talents and my treasures. I have to ask myself constantly if I am a good steward. I think the question helps me keep perspective on my relationship with God and the things of this world. What do you think?