July: Stewardship

I’ve been listening to Dr. Melvin Silas’ series on stewardship and highly recommend you going back to re-listen to the series.  The sermon on time stewardship hit me really hard.  Ephesians 5:15-17 reads, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”  (Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV) Have I been wise with the time God has given me?  Or have I buried the time God has given me like the parable of the talents?

I can count the many times I have quoted 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV) As I’m self-reflecting, I have often operated in fear versus the spirit of power, love and sound mind.  How many times have I allowed fear to drown out the hopes and dreams God has placed in my heart?  I realized the discontentment I felt in the past was because God has so much more for me but I was too afraid to act in faith and rely on His confidence, strength and power.  

God is a good father and wants His children to thrive.  Psalm 34:9-10 reads, “Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:9-10 NIV) The word fear used in this verse doesn’t mean afraid, it means respect and reverence.  If I seek the Lord, I shall lack no good thing.  If He can provide for the birds and lilies, how much more can he provide for His children?  (Matthew 6:26-33)  

Matthew 6:34 reads, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  God doesn’t want fear, worry and anxiety to paralyze you.  That’s not His character.  That’s not who He is.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV) You must remember who you belong to and surrender every thought and emotion to Him.

God knows you.  That’s why He says not to worry about tomorrow and to trust Him.  Yes, it sounds a lot easier said than done but it is possible with Him.  Every time God stretches my faith, I want to retreat.  It’s no surprise to Him that I would want to retreat.  But He sent helpers to encourage and build me up and He’ll do the same for you.  “God is no respecter of persons.”  (Acts 10:34 KJV)  That means God shows no favoritism.   

He wants you to enjoy life right now with the time He’s given you.  Sometimes, people make it so hard to enjoy God with the “should of” and “should have.” He doesn’t want head knowledge. He wants your heart.  You can quote scriptures all day long, but what good does it do if you don’t believe Him.  I never said it was going to be easy and I understand it can be really hard when your back is up against a wall but I no longer want to bury the time God has given me.  I want to be a good steward of time making the most of every opportunity.  I believe it brings God pleasure knowing you can rely on Him to act on those dreams and hopes by placing your trust in Him to bring them to fruition.