It was a pretty sweet gig.
What began as a simple babysitting job expanded into caring for an exclusive property in upscale Ft. Worth. The home itself spanned 4000 feet, complete with an impressive oak library, a state-of-the-art media room and a deluxe master suite, which overlooked a terrazzo garden, mosaic pool, and changing cabana.
When you look through our scrapbook of that year, you might think it was all ours. Photos document us in the pool, in the library, and even at a community-wide parade. Granted, we were sometimes the only ones on the property, but we always knew we were only the overseers.
Decades since my own key to Medford Court, I realize I still oversee property. If fact, if you are a child of the Kingdom, you oversee this vast estate with me. Together, we are “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1).
Look deeper into the Greek word “oikonomos” used for steward. Theyer’s Lexicon defines this as “a manager to whom the head of the house has entrusted the management of his affairs, the care of receipts and expenditures, and the duty of dealing out the proper portion to every servant and even to the children not yet of age.”
Just think of it, the Ancient of Days has let us in on His secret counsels as well as entrusted us with the management of them! Christ handed us the keys for unlocking the warehouse (Matthew 16:19) and the Father has instructed us to “take dominion” (Genesis 1:28; Greek: “to subjugate, to rule, literally to tread down”).
Through Christ, we have been granted everything according to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and entrusted with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). We have been given “authority to tread upon … all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). God Hand-selected you and I to be His personal overseers and chose us specifically for this task (Psalm 65:4).
But there is a requirement for our stewardship. We must “be found trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
Have we been?
If God were to say, “Give an account of your stewardship” (Luke 16:2), how would we respond? Have we been “faithful in that which is least” or squandered our time, money, or energy? (Luke 16:10)?
Let’s live up to the abundant benefits of the Kingdom by:
- Thanking Christ Jesus for strengthening us and giving us this service (1 Timothy 1:12)
- Forgiving our fellow man, just as our Master forgave us (Matthew 18:32-33)
- Remaining faithful and alert to our own specific task, while letting the Master direct others without our control (Matthew 13:34; Luke 12:37; Romans 14:4)
- Developing a “good business head,” so we can access needs for others (Matthew 24:45; Hebrews 4:6)
- Realizing all we have is only what we been given by the Master (John 3:27;1 Corinthians 4:7)
“Father, reveal to me what it means to be a good steward here on earth. I know that Jesus has accomplished all for me, so teach me what it means to hear You say, “Well done!”
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