It's Really Just about Everything

As we reach the conclusion of our series on stewardship, I know that I've left many stones unturned. We could have talked about our role as stewards of the environment, or stewards of our particular talents, or stewards of our relationships. The truth is, each of us will have to figure out exactly what the Lord expects from us as a steward in the time we have in this life.

The secret is to remember that it’s really just about everything.

Remember this scene from the Gospel of Luke?

“He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury; and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. And he said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:1-4

I think this story is about more than the two copper coins being added to the treasury. It’s about putting in “all the living” you have. The word in Greek is literally the same as the word you would use to talk about someone’s life—as in, she out of her poverty put in all the life she had. Being a good steward, then, is a sort of martyrdom, a pouring out of your life as an offering to the King, even when you don’t think you have much to offer.

Yes, stewardship is about the things you are given to care for, the time you have to spend, the people you are charged with loving, but most of all, it's about you. It’s about offering up your heart to Christ the King. It’s about saying with Samuel and Isaiah, “Here I am, Lord.”

To be an excellent steward, you must know that you, yourself, are not your own. You are the King’s servant, beloved by Him, and He is calling you with your every breath to draw nearer to Him by living out your stewardship. He is asking for everything, but promising to guide you along the way and to stand by you no matter what, even if you fail miserably. He is asking for everything, but promising you even more in return. He is asking for everything while He offers you His everything.

So don’t be afraid. Don’t despair. Take each moment as it comes, trying your best to pour your life into it as Christ poured out His life for the world. And know that it is ultimately the King's return that we long for, as we serve as His stewards.