The Danger of Selective Effort

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Engaging in stewardship implies an active steward. They will work, or take steps to fulfill the expectations that the property owner set them. Activity and effort are closely related but not identical. I may be active, but I may be putting little effort into my work. Similarly, I may be active and exerting great effort over my task. The presence of activity does not denote a consistent level of activity.

When presented with being active in our stewardship, we must decide how much effort we are going to give. The danger that exists for us is that we are selective in the effort we expend.

Too much rationalization

Any task requiring our attention will cause us to decide how much effort we want to expend completing it. An enjoyable task – whatever that may be for you – will see us happily expend greater effort because we like it. On the other hand, cleaning toilets probably won’t. (I apologize if cleaning toilets is a task you genuinely enjoy.) What am I getting at? We rationalize the effort we are prepared to give based on what the task means to us.

The danger this presents in stewardship is that based on how I view the activity, my effort correlates. If I have been entrusted with something I don’t particularly like, enjoy, or even think I should not have to do, it is unlikely I will give it the full amount of effort it deserves or requires.

More trust required

Rather than have confidence in my mental reasoning, I must remind myself that I can trust God who gave me this stewardship. He is like the Master in Matthew 25:15 who divided up his property to his servants, “…each according to his own ability…”

The things we steward for God may be different – and we have to fight the urge to compare and be dissatisfied. But ultimately we can have confidence in the fact that what we have been entrusted with is perfectly suited for us at this time. (Remember Psalm 139 – God knows us better than we know ourselves. Should we be surprised that our stewardships are best suited to each of us?)

Remember the reflection

As I am active in my stewardship I need to remember that I act as God would act if he were doing this task. It is a high standard and one that, I confess, I frequently forget. What does it say about him if I complete my tasks begrudgingly? What does it reflect of him to the world if I just do the absolute minimum necessary?

While we do not complete our tasks to meet a standard set by anyone other than God, we must remember that there are many others who are watching us. What am I reflecting to them about God?

Look past the task

Similarly, what am I communicating to God about what I think of what he has given me to do? Do I clearly demonstrate that I think he has made a great error, or do I say that I am willing to trust him? As much as I can I need to look past the task and see him. The one who loves me infinitely, who accepts me through his son, and who wants my best.

As I see God clearer my motivation changes to not be just task completion, but to pleasing him and obeying him. At that point I don’t have to decide whether I give this 10% effort or 100% because I will want to give my best each and every time. I should then have the approach that “…whatever [I] do, [I] do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

Up Next:

The danger of a productivity mindset **Coming soon**

Explore Ownership more:

Stewardship Component #4 – Activity

“My responsibility in light of Activity” **Coming soon**

The Danger of Unawareness

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What does it mean to be unaware when it comes to stewardship? And, how does unawareness relate to the component of Expectations?

In my original post exploring Expectations, I quoted two of the key verses for Biblical stewardship, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2:

1 This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy [faithful].

There are two important things we saw in these verses. First, the expectation of a steward is that they be faithful. And, second, we need to recognize that we are servants first, and stewards second. Unawareness presents a danger to both of these takeaways.

Unawareness puts faithfulness at risk

Faithfulness is our goal. Paul is very clear on that in these verses. If we are to be faithful in our stewardship we must know exactly what is expected of us. How are we to live as Christ-followers? How are we to use the spiritual gifts God has given us? What do we do with the other resources God has left in our charge? If we are unaware of how to live and act as stewards, we put our ability to be faithful at risk.

So, how do we become aware of what is expected?

By being familiar with the Word of God and the instructions it contains pertinent to our life and stewardship. A common objection to this is that the Bible does not have specific teaching or instruction on how I use my Ford Escape or my chequing account at Scotiabank. This is true, but Scripture does contain many instructions on how we are to live a Christians that can be applied to our actions as stewards.

Time for reflection

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but consider  the following verses and how they may apply to, and be lived out through, your stewardship…

  • Romans 12:10-13
    Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honour, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
  • Romans 12:16
    Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
  • Galatians 5:16
    But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
  • Galatians 6:10
    So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
  • Ephesians 4:1-3
    Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
  • Philippians 4:8-9
    Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.     As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
  • Colossians 3:2
    Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.
We have to be prepared to put in some work

Each one of these verses contains instructions that, if put into practice, could radically change our actions as stewards. It is as we assimilate these verses, and others like them, that we become more aware of just what is expected of us as stewards, and less likely to act out of unawareness.

Beyond that though, we also need to demonstrate an awareness of the one who entrusted us with this stewardship. We need to know who God is, what he is like, and how he would act. As his representatives here on earth we have a responsibility to demonstrate his character and actions to a world that does not know him.

The tendency we may have though is to just get on with the task in hand using our own logic, and confident in our own abilities. We can rationalize the actions we take and explain why they were most suitable in that moment, all while disregarding the fact that we did not evidence any real understanding of who God is, or what he would have done.

A lesson of unawareness from a parable

This is demonstrated well for us in the parables Jesus tells in Luke 19 and Matthew 25. We have considered these in previous posts. One of the servants who was entrusted with his master’s possessions ignored the expectation that was put on him. He was to do business with the money, but instead hid it and returned it to his mater. This displeased his master, listen to the rebuke that he gives the servant:

Matthew 25:26-27

“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed? Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.”

The servant had explained why he did not follow his master’s instruction. He cited how he perceived his master as being unjust, almost tyrannical. The master never contradicts the character assessment made by the servant, but does point out that he missed something. He states that if he had truly known what he was like, he would have at least put the money into the bank where it could have earned interest.

The servant thought that he knew what his master was like. He only had part of the picture. His unawareness impacted his actions. What was proven was that he didn’t truly know what he was like at all.

A lesson for us today

I’m not a fan of drawing a parallel, as some do, from the master in this parable to God the Father. The description of the man’s character does not correlate to what God is like. But we can draw a parallel from the servant to us.

He was correct in his character assessment, but he did not have the whole picture. As a result, his actions were negatively impacted. We must ensure we are continually learning about God. It is one of the amazing things in life that God has made himself known to us. As we seek to understand him fully we can then act correctly in light of what we find.

As we know what God would do if he had the resources we steward, we can then act intelligently in using them. When we do this, we display God to those around us. To Christians and non-Christians. And as we do this, we give him the opportunity to receive the glory he truly deserves. Let’s strive to be the faithful stewards God has called us to be, and not demonstrate the unawareness of the servant in the parable.

 

 

Up Next:

The danger of Selective Effort

Explore Ownership more:

Stewardship Component #3 – Expectations

“My responsibility in light of Expectations” **Coming soon**

 

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

The Danger of Comparison

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To consider the ‘Danger of Comparison’ in the context of Biblical stewardship, I want us to try to live in the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 25:14-30. Take a few moments, and read the story Jesus told.

Entering the story

I would like you to imagine you are one of the servants in the story. Your master is preparing to head out of town. For days you have been working to get him ready to leave. He is not taking a short, local journey but will travel a significant distance. It has required a lot of preparation and has been a big undertaking for all the staff.

The time for him to leave is nearly here. The supplies he needs were all secured. All the provisions are packed. The household is in a last minute frenzy making sure everything is where it needs to be. You were a busy part of that, but not at this instant.

Right now you are standing with two colleagues before your master. The work you were doing is on pause – you were called away. Summoned to a meeting. Your other colleagues arrived and, now that you are all present, your master begins to speak.

He explains that while he is away, he is placing the three of you in charge of his possession. He outlines what he expects of you, and then divides his money between you. Eight talents of gold is divided. You are responsible for two t, one of your colleagues is responsible for five, the other for one.

It is easy to compare

In that moment, it would be so easy for the three servants to begin comparing what they received. The servant responsible for one talent could look at his contemporary with two and wonder why he got double what he held in his hand. Similarly, the servant responsible for two talents could feel jealous and envious of the servant responsible for five talents because he has more than double what he received.

Alternately, the servant with responsibility for five talents, seeing how much more he got than his colleagues, could become prideful and self-exalting. His comparison could lead to a false sense of superiority and importance.

In this example, the servants assess what they received based on two things: the item, and what another person received. Can you relate? Can you think of examples where you have done this? Perhaps you consider someone else to have a better job, nicer house, faster car, an ideal family, the list could continue. Or maybe you have exalted yourself over another?

If we have ever acted like this example, we know how much difficulty we can get ourselves into. We become dissatisfied. We convince ourselves that we are more deserving of something else. That God doesn’t know us as well as we know ourselves. And we may even go so far as to attempt to engineer circumstances to get what we perceive is more suitable to us. Comparison can lead to a lot of trouble.

But the comparison is never equal

With our stewardship as Christians, I know of very few people who have been entrusted with identical things. There are some things that we have a stewardship responsibility over that is the same no matter who we are, where we live, the colour of our skin, the language we speak, or anything else that sets us apart from each other. The gospel is one such thing. We are all witnesses for God of his amazing, life-giving, grace and mercy that brings a sinner to salvation and saves a soul. We all steward this gospel message for God.

Beyond that, it is usually different. There are categories that are the same. Spiritual gifts. Physical health and wellbeing. But within these categories there is little to no identical assignments. You and I both have a spiritual gift. Identical. Mine may be teaching, yours may be helps. Different.

We get ourselves into trouble if we draw lines between ourselves and others based on these differences. We can use the distinctions to create rifts between brothers and sisters in Christ. Or start to focus more on being envious and covetous of what someone else has been given, when we think we would really have liked to have had that.

Comparison draws us into unbelief

When we do this, we unconsciously state that we do not believe that God knows what he is doing. We communicate that we do not have confidence in his ability to rightfully apportion his property and resources to his people. We elevate ourselves to his level – a level where we could never, nor should ever place ourselves – and say that we know better than God.

This is a huge danger to our contentment and confidence as stewards. Rather than recognizing the deliberateness of God’s assignment to us, if we use comparison to assess what we have, or don’t have, to those around us we can get ourselves into real difficulties.

Matthew 25:15 contains six important words that I want to end this post with, they are…

“…each according to his own ability…”

The assignments of the master in this parable were not random. They were deliberate. Based on the knowledge he had of each of these servants. It is just this way with God. The things that I am entrusted to steward may look different to yours, but they are perfectly suited to me. God knows me better than I know myself and that should give me tremendous confidence that the things I have to steward are exactly the right things for me and my circumstances.

A final activity

As you close today, it may be a good idea to spend some time in prayerful reflection, confession, and repentance with the Lord over any times where you have sought to show him that you thought you knew better than Him in his stewardship assignment. But also take the time to thank him for the things that he has entrusted to you too.

 

Up Next:

The danger of Unawareness

Explore Ownership more:

Stewardship Component #2 – Relationship

“My responsibility in light of Relationship” **Coming soon**

The Danger of “mine”

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“Mine.”

It is such a simple, small word, but one that holds great depths of meaning and significance in Biblical stewardship. As we start exploring the dangers to us fully embracing Biblical stewardship in our lives, this four-letter word poses perhaps the biggest danger of all those we will consider. This is the first major obstacle we must address to truly live the life of a steward.

Stewardship starts with ownership

In its simplest form, stewardship is caring for, or managing something that belongs to another. When we bring this into the context of Biblical stewardship, the first thing we must recognize is that God owns everything. (My previous post on ‘Ownership‘ breaks this out in more detail.)

This face has huge implications for us all, and not just in the context of stewardship. Today you will explore this fact further and consider the implications of this truth for Christians. It is one thing to understand this truth, it is quite another to have it alter your perceptions and actions. As you begin today, I would like you to read, and meditate on these three verses from Psalm 50.

 

Psalm 50:10–12
10 For every animal of the forest is Mine,

The cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know every bird of the mountains,

And everything that moves in the field is Mine.

12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,

For the world is Mine, and everything it contains.

 

Asaph writes this Psalm as if it were God speaking. This small section is part of a larger dialogue that God is having with His chosen nation of Israel as he describes how he has no need of the things that they might bring because he owns so much.

Asaph rightly ascribes all of creation as “mine” when talking in God’s voice. Asaph, like David, (Psalm 24:1-2,) recognized that God has the right to claim any and every part of creation because he is Creator. For God to describe anything as “mine” is entirely right and appropriate.

We all use the word “Mine”

But what about us?

Isn’t the word “mine” used to describe things around you?

Things you own?

Things that are rightfully recognized as being yours?

Ownership has been an established part of every culture and society throughout history. It was, and is, necessary to distinguish which property belongs to different individuals. This prevents disputes, fights, and hopefully, theft. Ownership is one of the integral parts of our society today. Just ask anyone who has been or is in prison after being convicted of taking something that is not their own.

Children, early on, will exhibit a sense of “ownership” over things. Have you ever seen a sibling trying to take something from a brother or sister? “But it’s mine”. “Mom, they took my toy!” “Give it back, it’s not yours.” How many parents have listened to a child complain that what was taken was rightfully theirs? Persuasive arguments may be made to the adjudicating adult to settle the dispute, but then again, a small toddler just snapping out the word “mine” leaves the observer in no doubt they consider a thing theirs.

But I own things

We have many things that could be labelled “mine.” There is little doubt that you could look around you and identify things you would label in this way. Gifts you received, objects you made, or items you purchased. You have deeds and documentation with your name on that prove other things are yours. Society attributes ownership in these, and other, ways.

The use of the word “mine” is a real threat to understanding ownership for the steward.

The longer I consider something as “mine,” and not Gods, the longer it will take for me fully adopt the principles of stewardship into my life. Stewardship, as taught in the Bible, requires a radical perspective change. Even if I might label something as “mine”, in truth it belongs to God.

The reason this is so challenging is that if I view something as mine, by extension I get to determine what happens with it. It’s my money – I can spend it how I like. I own this car – I can use it how I please. It’s my time – I can do what I want with it. However, the recognition as God as the true owner of everything, including us as Christians, requires that perspective to change.

Regardless of whether my name is on the ownership papers, or if the money came out of my bank account, the recognition that it is Gods must change what we do with it. It’s his money – I will spend it how he wants. God owns this car – I can use it to serve him. It’s his time – how can I use it best for him?

It’s hard to let go

I will be honest with you, this is the part of stewardship that I struggle with most. The idea that something is mine is so natural and so ingrained in my mind that I have to consciously stop and remember that it truly is Gods when I am using it. I have realized though that the longer I keep holding onto something as mine, the less likely I am to willingly and happily use it for God.

This is one part stewardship that I do not have completely nailed down. (I don’t have any of them completely nailed down if we’re being completely open!) But by God’s grace, I am striving to do it better. I encourage you to give this some serious thought and consideration because it can become one of the greatest hinderances to us embracing stewardship in our lives.

 

Up Next:

The danger of Comparison 

Explore Ownership more:

Stewardship Component #1 – Ownership

“My responsibility in light of Ownership” **Coming soon**

The Dangers of Stewardship

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Previous posts on this blog have explored five Stewardship Components found in the Bible. This series of articles investigates the dangers that are associated with each component. While somewhat unconventional, it will bring a valuable dimension to our consideration of Biblical Stewardship.

Why look at “dangers”?

Merriam-Webster defines danger as “exposure or liability to injury, pain, harm, or loss.” We naturally avoid being in places that endanger us. Our avoidance is aided by visually striking signs indicating danger is present.

Where danger exists, ways are often provided to avoid the danger, or at least mitigate its impact. You cannot enter some construction sites without a hard hat and steel-toed boots. Hospitals provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to those entering the room of a patient with a contagious infection. Or it may be a simple statement at the foot of a YouTube video: “Do not try this at home!”

When we know danger exists, it gives us the opportunity to adjust our actions accordingly.

Is stewardship dangerous?

When considering the dangers of Biblical stewardship we do not primarily think about things that put us at risk of injury, pain, or harm. That being said, our activities as Stewards may be dangerous at times. For example, many individuals, seeing their responsibility as stewards of the gospel, go into dangerous parts of the world to share the good news of salvation with others. While valid, this type of exposure to danger is not the focus of the following articles.

Returning to Merriam-Webster’s definition, the danger we focus on is the one that exposes us to loss. It is the danger that we do not fully understand the significance of stewardship. The danger that we do not completely embrace its role in our lives as Christians. And the danger that we do not experience the blessing of this lifestyle.

So, what are the dangers?

For each of the components of Biblical Stewardship we have considered, there is a corresponding danger that exists. This danger presents the primary thing that would prevent us from fully experiencing the impact of that component in our lives.

This series of articles explores the following:

  1. The danger of “mine”.
  2. The danger of comparison.
  3. The danger of unawareness.
  4. The danger of selective effort.
  5. The danger of a productivity mindset.
How do I avoid these dangers?

Just as you may want a hard hat on a construction site, or PPE in a hospital, there are steps we can take to stop these dangers preventing us from being faithful stewards of what God has given to us. For each danger, there is a corresponding responsibility that is placed on us. These responsibilities will be addressed in our next series of articles and posts.

 

Up Next:

The danger of “mine.”