not my life

The other night I was reading selections from The Christian's Daily Walk, a commentary on Christian life by Puritan Henry Scudder.

Along the way Scudder commented that we are stewards of the lives we are given.

"Steward" is one of those now-Christianized terms that seems to have lost the impact of its meaning. It has been defined as, "a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others."

This is a shocking concept if you think about it, because it means that we can claim no ownership of our own lives at all. In legal terms, to be an agent is to be fully responsible for every action to the person for whom you are acting.
So, to adopt Scudder's way of thinking, we are actually accountable to someone else for every single minute we spend on this earth.

While it is a position of heavy responsibility, the position of agent is also one of honor, since the person who uses the agent (the "principal," in legalese) trusts the agent to make the best use of his property.

The Bible has a lot to say about stewards and stewardship. As you have time, it is a helpful activity to look at the places where this word comes up in Scripture.

And think about these questions:

• Am I operating as if I'm a steward of the life God's given me?
• How do I demonstrate that stewardship?
• Am I a good steward of my material possessions?
• Would I treat my possessions differently if they weren't mine, but belonged to someone who had ultimate authority over me?
• Am I a good steward of the relationships God has placed in my life?
• What does it mean to be a "steward of the manifold grace of God"?

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

-- 1 Peter 4:7-11