Throughout scripture, God tells His children to call on His power and strength to be set apart. He commands us to pass on truth, love, legacy, and an inheritance, but never demands us to do so.
He invites us; therefore, we can think of it as getting to live for the Kingdom of God—the most powerful calling any of us could ever step into.
As mentioned above, He commands us to pass on truth to the next generation. If we are called to pass on, that must mean we need to be wise with what we are given so there will be something to pass on, right?
One wise command commonly discussed is the call to be good stewards of His resources.
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”—Genesis 1:28
But how can we be sure exactly what resources He is talking about?
Actually, it’s quite simple—everything from your backyard and bank account, to your mind and body is a resource that you are called to manage for God.
The truth is this beautiful, albeit broken, world that we live in belongs to God, and He has commanded us to steward it wisely.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.”—Psalm 24:1
When we choose to disregard this commandment, we are opening the door to sin and chaos.
“There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.”—Proverbs 21:20
God is well aware of the finite resources that are available to us and the discomfort we will put on future generations when we squander those resources.
How, then, can we align ourselves with God and respond to His calling of being a good steward and be sure to pass on that legacy of stewardship to our next generation? First, we must understand what it means to be a good steward.
What Does It Mean to Be a Good Steward?
stew·ard·ship (stü-ərd–ship)
Carefully and responsibly managing something entrusted to one’s care.
The Bible tells us that we are created in the image of God.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”—Genesis 1:27
Whatever else “made in His own image” indicates, at the very least it implies that we have the anointing and privilege to be full partners with God in maintaining His vast creation.
Rest assured this is a privilege. We are not called as slaves of menial tasks, but as gifted managers commissioned to creatively oversee the resources around us in order to produce what God values most. HIS KINGDOM!
Being a Good Steward Involves Everything
Christians often get the mind-set that there is a limit to what we are called to give and accomplish within our days that God has gifted to us, but this simply isn't true.
For instance, your view of stewardship may simply involve tithing as the Old Testament scriptures have detailed. By taking your 10% and giving it to your local church, you may believe that you have been a good steward of the resources that He has provided you.
However, there is so much more to be given and gained from stewarding God’s resources.
How can we wrap our minds around the totality of all that stewarding entails?
When we recognize that all things are a gift from God and every opportunity comes to us by His grace, He begins to change our perspective on what we have in our care during this lifetime. We are His and so is everything we own, down to our thoughts.
“Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand, it is to make great and to give strength to all.”—1 Chronicles 29:12
If stewardship means we are managing something that is entrusted to us, this also tells us that we should be stewards of all things. We commonly think that stewarding is only for money. But when we put limits around what we are to give to or be stewards of, it holds back God’s hand from giving us even more to manage on His behalf.
- Are you being a good steward of God’s next generation?
Our children and grandchildren are ours to “steward.” We must be intentional about doing this in a way that passes on God’s Kingdom work to the next generation.
“One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.”—Psalms 145:4
- Are you being a good steward of God’s truth?
An understanding of God’s Word is a gift that we must steward wisely. Carefully passing on His truth to the people He brings into our lives is a perfect example of responsible management of resources.
“‘But the word of the Lord endures forever.’ Now, this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.”—1 Peter 1:25
- Are you being a good steward of the Kingdom-building gifts and talents that God had gifted to you?
We have all been gifted with unique callings and anointings. We need to be intentional about stewarding these gifts to further God’s Kingdom here on earth.
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”—1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Christians need to understand that opportunities to achieve God’s agenda in building His Kingdom involve not only our material possessions but also our abilities, knowledge, skills, and relationships.
Passing on a Legacy of Stewardship
We all want to pass on a legacy to our next generation. The question is: will that legacy include stewardship of God’s money, land, and people?
Our children will learn by our example. We need to be sure that we are not only setting an example of stewardship but also teaching them to give and manage with a cheerful heart.
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”—2 Corinthians 9:6-7
As Christians looking forward to a Kingdom restored, we can start a legacy of stewardship today by standing with and supporting the people of Israel to revive the Promised Land.
Today, at My Olive Tree, we are working to spread a legacy of stewardship by restoring desert land. This legacy of restoration encapsulates all that it means to be good stewards of God’s land, money, and children.
>>>Click here to learn more about the legacy of stewarding land for Israel.<<<