Ten years ago this week I
wrote about our need to think more seriously concerning stewardship in the
coming year. The need continues a decade
later. Even more things compete for our
time, our money, and our attention than they did a few short years ago. We need to determine what is really important in our lives and use
our resources wisely. What will actually
matter in eternity? What does God really
value? What should be our true,
God-honoring priorities? These are all
questions we need to ask and answer.
What do you truly value the
most?
Allen Raynor Weblog: “How Value Determines Stewardship”
(Dec. 26, 2007)
What
gives anything its value? Who determines
what gold, silver, diamonds, pearls or other jewels are worth? What about other possessions of ours? Your photo albums may not hardly bring 25
cents at a yard sale but to you they are priceless. Your home may be a bit run down and nothing
too special at all to a realtor or would-be buyer but to you it is where you
spent many Christmas times together with your family and, of course, there is
the door facing with the markings signifying little Johnny and Suzie’s growth.
Even
precious metals and jewels are only worth what someone will pay. If people quit buying gold, the price would
drop significantly. What is of great
worth to you? Some have, in essence,
sold their soul for various things. It
could be wealth, fame, influence or a number of other things. The truth is that people place a high value
on the things they pursue.
The value we place on things or people
determines our level of stewardship where they are concerned. A steward is really nothing more than a
manager of something or someone. A
“Stewardess,” for instance, or as we know them better today as “flight
attendants,” have the task of managing persons on an airplane flight. The airlines have determined that the
customers have enough value they should take good care of them so they might
just show up on another flight later on!
Christians
are taught in God’s word to be good stewards over all God has given to their
charge. If you wonder what qualifies,
the answer is everything! We should be
good stewards of the earth or environment, our own health and even the health
of others where we can, our families, our churches, every position we have, and
the list goes on.
One common
mistake we make is in thinking that what we possess is ours. When we start to think that way the value
goes down in our mind. It is one thing
to back into a light pole, but it is another thing to back into the same light
pole in your friend’s car! How about
this; it is one thing to rip a dollar bill to shreds but it is another thing to
rip to shreds a hundred dollar bill, even though they look exactly the same to
a blind man! The difference is the value
we or someone else assign to something.
How much is
your Bible worth? How much is your
church worth? How much is your pastor
worth? How much is your prayer life
worth to you? The answer to each of these
questions is not determined by but
rather revealed through our
behavior. We may claim great value,
however there is no evidence. When we
stand before God in judgment, I am afraid there is going to be a lot of awkward
silence and heads hanging low!
As we enter into a new year it is a great
time to become a better steward of what you have been given charge over. Men, you need to be better men because you
value your wife and family. Women you
need to be better women because you value your family and because God expects
it. Children and teens you need to be
better stewards of your lives and not engage in things that will hurt or even
kill you, whether you’ve figured that out yet or not. Church members you need to be better stewards
of the church God has given you. You are
stewards of the lost people all around you.
How much do you value them? Your
stewardship will reveal the value you
place on these people/things. How
important is money to you? You say, “not
that important.” Well, it is important
to God so maybe you need to give more to Him.
Unfortunately when stewardship is mentioned, money is often the first
thing which comes to mind, however it is only one of many things, but still yet
important.
In the
coming year let us try and set some specific stewardship goals for ourselves in
several specific different areas. We
will never get there unless we plan!
What do you value, and how much?
In Christ,
Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor
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