A Devoted Steward

Introduction:

Welcome my friend,

We're back here this weekend for the final time in August.

Week by week, month by month, we're again spending another year here together.

Thanks for sharing your time with me and for being a part of this.

It's not something I'd ever get so used to, that I start taking it for granted.

After all, I’m here because of you, and without a recipient for these words, their purpose would be lost, like entries in a hidden journal.

So thank you for opening yourself to the light we create here together, and I hope you’ll continue to share it with others.

Which is the essence of our time here; and today is no exception.

Discussion:

A steward is a guardian, entrusted by another to protect and preserve something valuable.

This makes the steward a manager and caretaker, responsible for the safekeeping of what’s in their charge.

As such, the steward holds authority, accountable for how these resources are handled or utilized, depending on what they’re entrusted with.

Now, let's relate this to us; for the purpose of this conversation.

We're stewards of our own resources: time, energy, money, talents and gifts.

So let's take this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how we can be such good ones, making the most of these often overlooked treasures in our care.

■ Recognizing the Value of Our Resources

The way we utilize something reflects the worth we assign to it.

When we label something as a resource, it’s because it holds the potential to be amplified or converted into something of even greater value.

Yet, many of us fail to recognize the resources at our disposal, leading us to squander them instead of harnessing their potential for growth.

These resources include:

▪︎ Our Time 

Time is our most valuable resource, as its use shapes our reality.

Each day, we’re all given twenty-four hours, but our choices in how we spend them vary.

Which explains why despite wanting better, not everyone gets it, as our realities require more than just mere desire to be forged rightly.

The truth is, the best way to predict the future is to actively build it.

Which is what happens when we craft a plan aligned with our vision and go on to muster the discipline to see it through.

Without this clear strategy, our longing for progress only leads to wasted time, as we let moments slip away without investing them in something meaningful.

This shouldn't be.

Once we realize how our time shapes our lives, we begin to make deliberate efforts to use it wisely, engaging in actions that elevate us.

▪︎ Our Energy

Your energy is precious, so safeguard it with discipline and boundaries.

What we think and do shapes who we become, making it vital to focus on actions that align with our soul and bring us true peace of mind.

When we entertain negativity, we fuel its growth, but by consistently ignoring it, we push it away.

If we exhaust our energy reacting to critics or trying to prove ourselves to them, we drain the vitality needed for pursuits that truly fulfill our soul.

Above all, when we recognize those interactions that drain us due to conflicts or ever clashing beliefs, we should do ourselves the favor of limiting them or, if possible, avoiding them entirely.

▪︎ Our Talents/Gifts

Each of us possesses a unique ability that stands out above the rest.

These are our special talents and gifts, and the more we practice them, the more proficient we become.

Our skills and abilities are resources that, when carefully developed, enable us to earn a living based on what we excel at.

The truth is, our income reflects the value we provide, as others exchange this value for money while addressing their own needs in the process.

This means that to increase our earnings, we must focus on delivering greater value, ensuring our contributions align with our aspirations.

▪︎ Our Money 

The way we spend our money and the behaviors we sponsor with it reveal the value we place on it.

Statistics from numerous credible sources show that most people who win massive lottery jackpots lose everything within three years.

This is astonishing given the enormous sums involved, but upon deeper reflection, it becomes clear that the same habits that led to their windfall also lead to its loss.

They view money not as something to be earned or grown through effort, perseverance, and providing value, but as something gained by chance.

As a result, they continue to mismanage it, hoping the same luck will replenish their wealth.

…but boy, are they wrong?

Money is a resource that can be invested into our personal growth, enhancing our capacity to multiply it.

It’s a tool we can use to uplift others, enabling them to empower others in turn, creating a ripple effect.

Truth is, when we persistently misuse our money, spending it on things of lesser value or unhealthy pursuits, we risk losing it all, having proven ourselves to be poor stewards of it.

■ Acknowledging the True Owner of Our Resources

When we identify ourselves as stewards, it points to the reality that there's a true owner of the resources entrusted to us.

As believers, we understand that God is the ultimate source of our time, energy, talents, gifts, and money, enabling us to live in a way that glorifies Him.

This is the core purpose of our existence.

We're all here by design, and each of us possesses unique qualities that we can use to enhance the world around us, benefiting everyone.

Often, we hesitate to embrace this calling because we undervalue ourselves or wish we had different abilities.

Here, what we've failed to grasp is that we're not meant to be identical, just as the distinct parts of a body must function uniquely for its overall health.

Our diversity is what truly makes life vibrant and colorful.

When we acknowledge God as the owner of the resources He has entrusted to us, we become more open to using them in alignment with His purpose.

■ How We Should Utilize Our Resources

If you have something valuable, which friend would you entrust it to:

The meticulous one or the nonchalant one?

As a parent leaving home, which child would you task with caring for the others?

The little one or the mature one?

The truth is, the world belongs to God, and He is ready and willing to bless us with everything we need if we demonstrate our readiness to receive.

As we grow in wisdom, making the most of the resources already entrusted to us, we build our capacity to receive more and accomplish the same.

So perhaps it’s time to reflect on whether we’re truly maximizing what we’ve been given, proving ourselves worthy of receiving more.

■ Consequences Of Misusing Our Resources 

When we squander our resources, we suffer the consequences, losing the deep satisfaction that comes from living with passion and purpose.

If we persist in embracing mediocrity, unwilling to challenge ourselves to step outside our comfort zone, we forfeit the chance to discover the better version of ourselves.

Above all, no one is indispensable; if we refuse to fulfill God’s calling for our lives, He will raise up others around us, often those with fewer talents, using them in extraordinary ways.

Summary:

It is deeply fulfilling when we care enough for those around us to use our resources to improve their lives.

This is how we should engage with both friends and strangers alike.

By aiding those in need, we may not receive help in return, but we open the door to God’s assistance, which is all we truly need.

Master Apprentice.

www.x.com/truekingmaker