With the end of one year and the start of another comes reflection. We consider the celebrations we had, hardships we endured, people we lost, jobs we started or ended, finances that need tweaking and places we traveled. Headline news stories, world events, another year added to our age. Maybe more gray hairs, a few lines on our faces. These are elements of the melancholy of the season. Whether we are trepidatious about the new year coming or relieved to see the current year laid to rest, it is a time of reflection for most all of us. A time to take inventory.
While this year I am not necessarily recalling events like these, I am instead considering my actions. What did I actually do this year? How did I spend my time, how did I nurture relationships? How did I mourn losses? Where did I focus my attention? And how will these things need to be shifted in the coming year, so that my heart is aligned with my actions?
There is much to be said about priorities. What we prioritize in our lives tells a lot about who we are. It reveals our hearts, our values. Likewise, how we steward things also says much about us. What did we do with what we have? How did we utilize opportunities that we were given? How did we manage what we are responsible for? How well did we parent, do our jobs, and manage our homes? These are the important questions.
Every day we are afforded many opportunities. Small choices. What to eat, what to wear, how to answer someone, who to smile at, which way to go out of the driveway. Mundane, routine choices. Each one though is a privilege, and a chance to do well. A reason to pause, and choose well.
In Luke chapter 16, there is a dishonest manager who is brought before a rich man. The rich man accused the manager of mismanagement of his possessions. The manager decided to tell the rich man lies, painting a nice picture of himself, in order to maintain a good reputation and ensure employment elsewhere if the rich man fired him. So through manipulation of customers and fudging of numbers, he presented his case; appearing smarter than the rich man even imagined. The manager stewarded his position poorly, and lied to cover it up. Jesus goes on to explain to his disciples that this is an example of a test of character. That we are to steward upright what we are given, what opportunities we have, what resources we receive. A warning to be faithful and trustworthy with things in this world, which prepare us for things of eternity.
As stewardship goes, followers of Christ are nothing less than stewards of the gospel. We have been entrusted with it, and must hold it with care. Must handle it properly.
…but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
I imagine the dishonest manager failing this test, his heart reflecting greed and self seeking preservation. He missed the memo that everything he had was the property of God, and he only had temporary use of it. We are after all to hold loosely the things of this world. And he missed the instructions and the warnings…and there were many. We have all been sufficiently instructed. We have all been sufficiently warned.
Scripture tells us the well off are given much to be responsible for and will likewise answer much for the stewarding of them. The poor may not be given as plentiful on earth, but will inherit plentiful in Heaven. As if our accounts are graded on a sliding scale. And we who have, shall give to those who don’t. In our time and our tangibles, we are to give generously. Abundantly.
And we will all give an account.
So in relationships, we ought choose to steward well the presence of another. Handle with care their thoughts, words, fears and tears. In opportunities, we can respond in a way that honors the Most High, never being complacent, or lazy. Don’t let a chance to do good pass you by. With our resources, utilize them well. In our words, speak them well. Do all things well. Listen well. Love well. Share well. Manage well.
Now, back to priorities. I consider these often. I even touched on this subject in a previous blog post titled do the next right thing. But as I think of the things I want to focus more of my time on, I know it is a matter of stewarding my time well. Choosing what my non-negotiables are each day and following through. Deciding what can fall away and what is unneeded.
Further along in Luke, Chapter 19, there is another illustration. Ten men were each given ten minas; or coins. Which were a lot of wages in that day. They were entrusted with these resources to invest and trade. Symbolic of spiritual resources, they were supposed to profit for and build up the kingdom, the church. Bring others to know Jesus. They were given all they needed to do all the good they could. They were tested on their priorities.
As they gave accounts of their spending, some had invested and took risks and ultimately given even more to tend to. Their resources multiplied. Some did not. One in particular saved his coins, hid them, and did nothing. He did no obvious mishandling of his coins, but neither did any good- remaining idle. He did not have kingdom priorities in mind, and was stripped of his resources. This example makes me think of people who might think it is enough to say, “I’m not a bad person” and expect to see Heaven. He thought he was managing well but in God’s work, he was lazy. Idle. Passive.
Seeds won’t sprout if hidden away in the dark. We must use our gifts, our resources, and not waste them. Saving them up as if they will save us is a fools errand. We should be about freely giving to others what has been freely given to us: both spiritual and tangible.
As Christians, we have business to do for God here on earth. He has given us the tools we need and expects our service and fidelity. So I ask you, as I ask myself, what good have you done for the souls of those around you? When you give an account, will you hear “Well done, good and faithful servant”? - Luke 19:17. This year, will you join me and step outside of your comfort zone and make some noise for Jesus? Will you examine your priorities and see where you can make the most impactful changes? Will you take a risk or two and invest in your relationships, or share the gospel with a stranger?
“Steward” is perhaps the most important title we will ever wear. Our marriage, our children, our job, our words, our friends, our home, our finances, our time, our bodies…they all need managing, stewarding. No crop will produce harvest without being properly worked. Such an honor this is! May the coming year prove to be your most impactful yet.
Generously sow seeds well wherever you go, so they can be harvested well. Let us be hopeful for 2022…our labor will not be in vain!
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