When we moved into our home, we received instructions for an app called Steward. This app occupies space both on my phone and computer enabling real-time monitoring of our home. The Steward app allows the homeowner to monitor features of the home such as the indoor and outdoor lights, thermostat, water usage, gas, etc. It helps me keep track of necessary functions of the house and yard. The app supports who I am: a steward of the home, as well as my responsibilities for the home.

Steward – A person (noun) who manages, takes care of, and behaves responsibly for something. The action and attitude (verb) of a person looking after something for someone else; an overseer. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be stewards of all that God entrusts to us. Similarly, as stewards, we steward, through our behavior, attentiveness to the grace and gifts that God provides.

Gary and I are responsible for our home’s care and upkeep, not just because the world says that we are homeowners, but because we view our home as a gift from God, given to us to manage, as stewards. We must remember all that is from God: “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). God remains the source of the gifts we enjoy.

From the beginning at creation, God ordained that humankind take responsibility for all that He provides (Genesis1:28). Jesus reinforced this mindset through the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. God calls those who know Him to steward His resources according to His wishes and to bring Him glory.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word steward?

I don’t need the app to remind me, yet as God’s steward, I endeavor to keep the house clean, repair anything that breaks or malfunctions, and consider ways to bring beauty to the space. I have fun endeavoring to share God’s love and goodness through the time and effort that I take to maintain the space called,”home.” During the summer months, I enjoy being a steward of the beauty surrounding our house in the yard. I water the garden and flowers, pick weeds, rake rocks, and tend to necessary repairs like the torn up turf, bees nests, and rain barrel.

Sometimes though, being a steward and stewarding what is entrusted to my care requires patience, persistence, and the peace of God. Taking care of things is hard work. I need God’s peace when I feel flustered when trying to fix the broken fence. Patience and persistence must guide me as weeds pop up every day and the garden requires daily attention and harvesting. Yet, if I keep the mindset that all flows as a gift and grace from God, my perspective towards housework and yard work shift. With intention, I pull weeds hiding under plants, move the rocks Gracie dislocates chasing a ball, and water the flowers and garden, preparing for beauty to enjoy and share with our neighbors.

God invites each of us to be stewards (noun) and steward (verb) all God supplies. When we understand our identity as stewards, our attitudes and actions towards God’s gifts and grace conform to living in the way of Jesus. We get to represent a solid reflection of a person living in the way of Jesus, exhibiting responsibility for what God entrusts to our care. We get to take our thoughts captive, in order to have proper attitudes towards what we have, which leads to right actions reflecting the heart of God. When I consider that part of my identity is a steward for God, I experience delight rather than dread as I approach the “to do” list on the refrigerator.

How do you feel as you consider your identity and responsibility as God’s steward?

Being a steward draws me to Jesus. By living as a steward, both as my identity and through my action, I realize God’s great generosity which spurs me on and encourages my spiritual journey. Being a steward not only encompasses things like my home, car, and belongings, but also, my very life: my health, relationships, work, experiences, and ministry. Ultimately, I also steward God’s grace and generosity through sharing the gospel with my neighbors and others in the world.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

How do you steward your habits, hobbies, home, healing, and hopes to reflect your relationship with Jesus Christ?

While you may not have an app called Steward to help manage your home, God calls each of us who follow Him as stewards. God invites us to watch over, take care of, and live responsibly with all that He entrusts to us. Let’s joyfully live out our identity as God’s stewards. Enjoy the privilege of being an overseer of the life God gives you by loving others as a reflection of His goodness and generosity.

This week – – –

Reflect. Reflect on 1 Corinthians 4:2 – “In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” To what does God invite you to steward faithfully? Talk with God about what bubbles up.

Request. Thank God for His goodness, gifts, and grace to you. Ask God to broaden your perspective towards all that He entrusts to your care. How might God provide patience, persistence, and peace as you steward His gifts and grace?

Receive. Rest in the generosity of God. Receive your identity as a steward of God. Take in the joy and delight in taking care of God’s goodness to you. From the overflow of which you receive from God, pour into others.

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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Matthew 25:22-23 – “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’

Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.

Gary Hoag and Nathan Buttigieg. Steward. Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Ukrainian. https://www.gtp.org/resources/ebooks/steward/

Tony Evans. Kingdom Stewardship. Colorado Springs, CO. 2020

Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.

Steve Green. Find Us Faithful. Click here to watch and listen.

CeCe Winans. Goodness of God. Click here to watch & listen.

Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.

July 24-28 – South Carolina, The Abbey at Pawley’s Island. – Generosity Monk and Soulcare Anchoress speak on faithful stewardship and Christian generosity.