Usually, when you hear stewardship mentioned in the Christian community, it means one thing: money. But the definition of stewardship means to manage or care for the assets owned by another.
Why we've narrowed the concept down to money is just sad. Stewardship can apply to many things, like the planet for instance. "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it," Psalm 24:1. That is a foundation scripture for biblical environmentalism. I don't own the dirt my house is on; I only manage it. Biblically, I don't own the house either. That is God's too.
Jesus also made it clear in the parable of the talents that my abilities are gifts from God to be managed for his glory. So all of life in the end is a practice in stewardship.
The area that weighs heaviest on me is my children. I've been given a solemn charge to raise them on God's behalf. Parenting has to be the most challenging and consequential stewardship of all. Experts still tell us that even in this age of texting, chat, peers, MTV, Hannah Montana, Twilight (not a bad book or movie, actually), and High School Musical (UGH), parents still carry the trump card when it comes to influence. Of course, the kids will never admit that. The point is, I have power over my kids. I can set them up for success or failure and the responsibility freaks me out.
Honestly, I could probably be a little more fun and laid back and a little less micro-managing. The hardest part is knowing where my stewardship ends and where God's providence begins. I will pass on both my strengths, and regrettably, my sinfulness, no matter how perfect I attempt to be. But that is where I must trust the mercy and grace of Dad (I like to call God that) to reveal himself to them.
All of my children will need to encounter him one day, and I truly believe he has the heart and desire to woo their hearts to himself. I desire with everything in me to handle their hearts well, by at least NOT irreparably damaging the picture of who their heavenly Dad is. Hopefully, I've done that.
