Teachings on Stewardship

Scripture Reading: Luke 16:1-31, Proverbs 15:16, 1 Corinthians 4:7-13

I’m about to share one of the worst four-letter words in my experience of the English language. I hear it all day every day, and I grit my teeth whenever someone lets it fly. Even my own three children throw this word around like it’s nothing. The word of which I speak is this: just.

Allow me to illustrate how my little angels might utilize this gem of the English language.

Me: Please go empty the dishwasher.

Kid A: Can I do it later? I just woke up.

Me: That’s enough ice cream; put it back in the freezer.

Kid B: Fine, but just one more bite?

Me: Turn your phone off, and do something useful with your life.

Kid C: I just picked it up, Dad. Can I just finish this one thing?

The incessant J-bombs irk me so very much. All I want is for them to trust my wisdom, my intentions, and my concern for their best interests. I just want them to do what I ask without haggling on the details.

Uh oh. Looks like I’m not innocent here.

Upon further reflection, I realize that I use the same word with my heavenly Father as much if not more than my kids do with me.

Now, I should emphasize that this is about more than the word just. It’s a heart issue that reveals how I want absolute control of everything God has given me. I want to decide when, where, and how I deploy my time and energy. I want to negotiate with God’s expectations, especially on what I consider little things.

But we can’t forget Jesus’s own words: “Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much” (Luke 16:10). The little stuff matters, and quibbling with God over the terms of my obedience is evidence that I am predisposed to resisting His authority on the big stuff as well.

When I invite the Lord to search and know my heart, the problem explodes into full view: I am constantly trying to wrest control of my life from God’s hands so I can govern my own universe.

I refuse to wallow in shame about it, though. In fact, I praise God that I can see and name this insidious foible of mine. Only by bringing it to the light can I repent and submit it to the Lord.

How awesome it would be if I didn’t attempt to qualify the terms of my allegiance to God. What if I said, “Yes, Lord,” and eagerly ran in whatever direction He sent me? What I want for my life, after all, is to be wholly devoted to God in thought, word, and deed. Whether in the most innocuous details or in true life-or-death scenarios, I want my heart, mind, soul, and strength to belong to the Lord.

Just imagine what God could do!

Written by Alex Florez