Have you ever been put in charge of something important? Maybe you were responsible and did a great job. Maybe you struggled.
When I was in high school I had this baby sitting gig that didn’t go so well. I looked after a 7 year old boy, 4 year old girl and the family’s brand new dog while their parents went out for dinner and a movie. It started out like any other baby sitting job. We hung out, played a few games, and then it was time for dinner. The kids were in the living room watching TV and I was in the kitchen putting chicken nuggets into the oven. So peaceful. What wonderful kids. The little girl was snuggling with the dog in the recliner while the boy was laying on the couch. While in the kitchen, I heard a very loud dog scream. I ran into the living room to find the dog’s leg stuck in the recliner chair. Quickly I grabbed him and pulled him out of the chair and set him down on the ground. He immediately held up his back left leg and wouldn’t set it down… He hoped around on 3 legs for the rest of the night. Oh no…
When the parents came home, I got to explain to them everything that happened, and why their dog probably had a broken leg. I felt so bad. Not surprisingly, I was never asked to babysit for them again. I was put in charge to take care of someone’s family, and it obviously looked like I did a bad job.
Stewardship
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” – Psalm 24:1
As a Christian, I believe that God created the heavens and Earth. Everything is His, and this includes money. Yes, my name was on the pay check. It gets deposited into my bank account. It goes to pay my bills. But it’s not my money. I am asked to be a steward of God’s money, and that’s quite a responsibility!
Stewardship is best put as responsibly managing and taking care of someone else’s belongings. If money belongs to God, then I am a steward of God’s money. I am asked to responsibly manage the money that has been given to me, and make smart decisions when it comes to it.
Have you ever borrowed something from someone and felt that you needed to take extra good care of it? When I borrow clothes from a friend, I try and take better care of it than my own clothes. I make sure nothing spills on it, I fold it nicely, and wash it before it’s returned. I want to be sure and take good care of someone else’s belongings because they trusted me with it. In the same way, God has blessed us with money and trusts us to manage it well. We are called to be good stewards of the resources that God has blessed us with.
If we know that God owns everything and we have an understanding of the concept of stewardship, imagine how responsible and generous we would be. Personally, this gave me a whole new perspective on money. I want to use the resources that God has given me to bless others and responsibly secure my future. When you change your perspective, you’d be surprised to see that your budget will follow.
So how are you doing as a steward of your finances? Do you spend frivolously on random things? Or do you responsibly give, save and spend? I really encourage you to take a good look at your spending and be honest with yourself on how you’re doing as being a responsible manager of God’s money and resources. Are you giving? Are you planning for your own future?
I encourage you to remind yourself every day that this is not your money. You are simply a steward of God’s money and resources. Change your perspective and your heart and budget will follow.
Photography by Donny Zavala Photography