Flip the script to stewardship

 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

Stewardship is a difference maker in life, for yourself and for others. Few things bring more joy than living in a state of perpetual stewardship.

The true mark of a steward is what happens when the lights are on. Actions taken when no one is watching define a steward. As 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, it is required of stewards to be “found faithful.” The picture is one of an owner coming back to his property to check in on the person put in charge. The owner comes back at a random time, not expected. When he returns, the one in charge must be “found faithful,” diligently caring for whatever was left in his control. The steward cares.

Desmond Doss, made famous in the movie Hacksaw Ridge, was the picture of a steward during World War II. Doss felt it his duty to his fellow man to join the military to fight for his country. Because of his deep commitment to his religion, he refused to carry a weapon or firearm of any kind and enlisted to become a medic. Doss wanted to save lives versus end them with war. He was ridiculed during basic training for his stance against firearms and was beaten and abandoned by his unit. They all tried to make him leave the military, but, because of his deep commitment, his stewardship of his country, religion, and his fellow man, he refused to quit.

During a brutal battle at Hacksaw Ridge in Japan, his unit went into battle with many losing their life, scattered across the field. As many retreated to safety at the end of the day, Doss had a different purpose. Doss remained on the battlefield, relentlessly pulling approximately 75 wounded men to safety, the same men that tried to make him drop out of the military. He put others above himself and was a sacrificial servant, putting his own life on the line. Because of his courage and work during the battle, Doss received the Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts.

Desmond Doss was a steward of his job in the military, his fellow soldier, and his deep rooted beliefs. His life mission was greater than any individual achievement. The most important thing to him was to live with integrity, honor, and discipline, taking care of his fellow man. He would not, could not, back down for anything. Stewardship was too ingrained in his being.

As Doss showed, it is impossible to be an excellent steward of something unless one cares more about the thing being taken care of than oneself. A steward will lay down their life for the thing being cared for each day. Stewardship requires a deep commitment that some never reach.

Excellent stewards in life are rare. Culture pulls one to individualism, the self-glorified life. We tend to care what we individually can get out of life, our marriage, our relationships, our company, our religion. Ultimately, we desire for others, maybe our companies, our religion, even our God, to mold around our lives.

This desire for flexibility causes us to put our personal life on center stage. The emphasis is on “me,” fighting stewardship. The desire for flexibility demands control of personal schedules, work, life, and relationships. Without it being said, the desire is to make life more comfortable, easier, for the individual.

Consider these areas where flexibility fights stewardship.

Church. Covid introduced an extremely flexible way to do church, in the comfort of your own home. No doubt, it is easier on the kids to watch from the couch. However, the downside is the impact that it has on relationships, community, and the church. Would a church even exist if everyone took this position?

Relationships. Flexibility is desired in relationships. A craving for what I want, what I need, is the predominant thinking. The marriage turns into a “what have you done for me lately” relationship. The friendship becomes all about what is important to me. The choice to be a steward is a different mindset, as one serves another. Perhaps lack of stewardship is what has driven loneliness to become an epidemic today.

Work. Flexible work schedules are desired so that appropriate time can be spent outside of jobs with family, friends, and personal passions. Definitely a valiant motive, as we all see the value in spending quality personal and family time. However, the risk is focusing on personal needs versus being a steward of the company, caring for the gift of a job that one has been given.

If you flip the script to stewardship, one’s view of life changes and others changes.

Stewardship helps one recognize gifts in life.

Human nature tends to deceive us with pride. When pride walks through the door, stewardship departs. Deep down, we believe we earned certain things, have a right to what we have, or made wise choices in life to get us where we are at. Stewardship helps us see things in life as gifts, creating humility. Good stewards are humble. Think about the gifts of a job, money, health, freedom of religion, all areas to be stewarded well.

Stewardship impacts others.

Others others are impacted by good stewards. A spouse that stewards their marriage well impacts their family, their kids, their environment. A company is changed when it is full of good stewards rowing the same direction. When a hard-working, servant labors at an organization, things change. A new standard is put in place. When one experiences a steward, their own actions and motives are challenged for the better.

Stewardship is contagious.

We have all experienced it. When a servant enters the room, full of focus on others, the atmosphere changes. Same with a negative person, a cynic, entering the conversation. Stewardship is like a wild fire moving from person to person. When one experiences a steward, their own actions are evaluated and the focus naturally moves to serving others.

Stewardship drives purpose in life.

Stewards have a sense of ownership. They care deeply about what is under their control. There is something bigger than themselves to tend to in life, and this focus brings joy in life as one serves others. Stewardship brings purpose, a deep satisfaction as you lift others up.

All of the above are incredible benefits of stewardship, but an area often forgotten about is one’s relationship with Christ.

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Corinthians 4:1

In today’s fast paced world, it is easy to set our relationship with Jesus aside, only tending to it in times of crisis, in our excess time, or on Sunday morning. We are called to be “stewards of the mysteries of God.” Bible intake and action. Know the deep truths of Scripture that can only come through time spent reading His Word and applying them to your life.

Be it your personal health, your mind, your family, your job, your finances, stewardship in any of these areas alters one’s life and brings purpose. Humility, joy, purpose are all natural by-products of stewardship, fighting pride, lack of self-worth, and negativity. Stewardship is like food for the soul.

The best news about stewardship is that it can begin now. It is simply a decision that one makes in life. Anyone, anywhere can start today. It starts with humility and taking ownership of the gifts that you have been given.

The fair question for us all, “what do I need to steward well today?” Whatever your answer, expect that area of your life to change as you flip the script to stewardship.

Impact others. Live generously.

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