Imagine you’re sitting in a small boat on a large lake. The wind is blowing gently and it’s enough to nudge the boat across the water.
That boat is kind of like the things God has entrusted to our stewardship. And life is kind of like the big lake and wind.
One thing is certain: the boat will not tend to stay where it is. And where it does go is largely up to us… if we’re willing to paddle.
Take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. Jesus, Matthew 25:14-30
Oh how often these words have been a sobering reminder for me as I’ve grappled with this parable of Jesus. Among other things, Jesus was showing us just how seriously he takes the issue of active stewardship.
In this parable, Jesus is being specific about how we steward the knowledge that he is returning someday soon, but the concepts also apply to many different areas of our lives.
Two Types of Stewardship
There’s so much in this story, but one thing that really stands out for me is the two different types of stewards: the first two servants are active in their management of what their master has entrusted to the them. The third servant is entirely passive.
God has entrusted so much into our care, and he expects us to steward what he has given wisely and intentionally. The consequences for the “wicked and slothful servant” in the parable are devastating.
We who are hidden in Christ do not need to fear the extreme consequences the third servant endured, but as servants of a holy and loving God, our sincerest desire ought to be to carefully and purposefully steward what he has entrusted to our care.
God has generously given us much to manage. Here are just some of the big categories:
- time
- money
- energy
- knowledge
- giftings/skills
- relationships
- work/impact
And not a single one of these things seem to steward itself. All the way back in the garden, God charged Adam with dominion and active stewardship over much of creation.1 And ever since the fall, active stewardship has been hard work. Yet God’s expectations of our wise stewardship have not changed.
Active Stewardship is Toil
All of creation seems reflect this truth. Even our laws of science and physics demonstrate a tendency toward chaos and decay.
If we pay attention to the world around us, we’ll observe much of the same. Our homes always seem to need cleaning and repairs. Our bodies don’t always tend toward physical fitness.
If we just sit idly by, everything we have the responsibility of stewardship over seems to fall into disrepair.
That’s because stewardship is active. It requires intentionality. And the effects of sin in this fallen world are utterly aligned against efficient stewardship.
Avoid the Drift
When we’re passive, we drift wherever the current takes us. And I’ve noticed that the current rarely seems to take me where I would have wished to go. Perhaps you’ve noticed this in your own life.
This principle is true throughout the whole of our lives, but through the lens of helping gospel workers, I’m particularly interested in encouraging intentionality and wise stewardship over ministries and relationships.
So, my brothers and sisters, take a hard look at how you’re managing the things God has entrusted to your care.
Are you being intentional with your budget? How about your relationships with your gospel partners and supporters? Are you being active and purposeful with your family? How about the ministry God has called you to be a part of?
If you’re anything like the rest of us, it’s easy to drift. Being intentional is hard work.
As with many things in life and in the church, accountability and community are essential to our continued growth and improvement. Find community. Find a coach. Make time and space to be intentional in your stewarding of all God has entrusted to you so that can hear, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”2
Soli Deo Gloria
Zach
Life as a missionary is hard enough. Financial stress and lack of support make it harder. I can help. Schedule a free call to find out how you can build better relationships with your gospel partners and increase your support.