A Faithful Stewardship

Just last week, I attended one of my grandson’s basketball games – it was sheer joy! My grandson is a tall boy for seven years and talks a big game when the subject of basketball comes up. 

 

He just knows he’s going to be a big star when he grows up and that his height will be a major plus for him. (His father is 6’7”, so he has a good idea that he will be very tall when grown). 

 

After hearing him talk and knowing how much he wanted us to come to see him play, I just knew I was going to be impressed and walk out of the gym, glowing with pride in my grandson’s abilities and future on the court!

 

The game was a blast to watch! My grandson ran and jumped and even made a basket. 

 

He was so excited when he made the basket that he forgot all about the game and simply stood in the middle of the court looking our way, making sure we saw what he had done. The players got the rebound and ran down the court, and my grandson, still excited and beaming with pride, completely missed the next play. We laughed and laughed! The rest of the game was similar – my grandson ran with the ball (sometimes!). He occasionally got confused and ran in the wrong direction. Sometimes, he played defense when he was supposed to play offense; over and again, he stood and watched the game, forgetting that he was supposed to be going after the ball; it was hilarious! He was doing his best, of course; it was just that, right now, his best wasn’t making his coach very happy – but he was bringing great joy to our hearts. He wasn’t the best on the court (yet), but he was playing hard, giving it all he had, and we were so proud of him! When the game was over, we yelled and hugged and said over and over to the budding athlete, “Good job!”  

 

The reason I tell you this story is because my grandson was doing his best – he was being a ‘good steward’ of his gifts and abilities and a ‘good steward’ of his life.

           

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12, Jesus tells a parable about one that he called a “sensible steward.” He said this, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave when his master finds so doing when he comes.” vv.42-43  In Jesus’ day, a ‘steward’ had extraordinary abilities in managing a business or a wealthy man’s estate. Often a slave, this person served in a position of great honor and importance. In terms of power and authority, stewards were usually number 2 in the household, just under the owner!

           

Jesus was explaining to his followers that He wanted them to be ‘sensible stewards’ of all that God had given them. Money, talents, abilities, intellect, even their very lives – it was all a gift from God to be used well and for God’s Kingdom! Moreover, when a Christ-follower lived as a sensible steward, God would bless them in ways they could never anticipate!

           

Living your life as a ‘sensible steward’ means that you discern the gifts that God has placed into your life, such as a particular talent or ability or even material possessions, and develop and use those gifts to serve God and his kingdom. The message of the Gospel will be shared, people’s needs will be met, and God will be glorified.

           

Let me encourage all here to choose to become a ‘sensible steward.’ God will use you and bless you. And, you will please your Father-God and make him so proud of you. You might even hear him say, “Good job,” just like my grandson!

 

The best way you can support our Ministry is by sharing these podcasts with your friends and family.

 

We also need your financial contributions to make our Ministries a possibility. You can contribute online at https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/

 

If you would like to stay up to date on all things FBC, download our App by clicking here: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or by Liking our Facebook page 

https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/

 

Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.