Responsibilities can be intimidating. When there is a lot at stake regarding something for which you are responsible, it is easy to become overwhelmed, stressed, and to simply want to drop the whole responsibility altogether. Some tasks seem too big to handle, and that is when we want to quit. It feels like you’re looking up at a mountain you’re not sure you want to even try climbing.
Sometimes we think that God gives us too much to be responsible for, but that is simply not the case. As we continue the study of stewardship, let’s first review the 4 Key Principles of Stewardship:
- God owns everything, you own nothing.
- God entrusts you with everything you have.
- You can either increase or diminish what God has given you; God wants you to increase it.
- You can be called into account at any time, and it may be today.
Today, we will be focusing on the second principle of stewardship: God entrusts you with everything you have.
From last week’s blog, Psalm 24:1 taught that you really own nothing. It is important that we keep this fact in mind as we consider our next principle. Yes, it’s true that God ultimately owns everything, but He chooses to give good gifts to His children. James 1:17 says that “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” The gifts God gives His children are still ultimately His – He is in control, not you – but He does give us things and situations that He expects us to steward well.
The definition of “entrust,” according to dictionary.com, is as follows: “to charge or invest with a trust or responsibility; charge with a specified office or duty involving trust. To commit (something) in trust to; confide, as for care, use, or performance.” In other words, when God give us material things, people, and situations, He is investing in us for His kingdom. We are left the the duty – or charge – to use what He puts in front of us to worship Him and make His name known. And His gifts may not always look good to us – perhaps He will entrust you with a sick child or another difficult situation – but Romans 8:28-29 tells you that those things truly are good opportunities from a good God to make you more like Jesus. In these situations, choose to believe that the Bible is true when it says that God is good, and seek to discover how you may be a good steward of these opportunities.
Wow! Now THAT’S a big responsibility! How can you keep from becoming overwhelmed at the gravity of this charge? Well, friend, take heart! Jesus has promised that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matt. 11:28-30). He has also stated that. “In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Jesus Christ has defeated death and sin, and He is the One who is in the yoke with you, bearing the unneeded weight and providing the victory you need to glorify Him. He has already planned a way for you to succeed (1 Cor. 10:13), and if your desire is to please Him by being a good steward of everything He gives you, He will always hear when you call to Him for help in bringing Him glory.
So what has God placed in front of you recently about which you have been tempted to become overwhelmed? Please take heart, and reach out to other strong believers for help and accountability as you seek to become a good steward. The Lord is every trustworthy – run to Him, and He will give you the strength you need in each situation He allowed into your life.
