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.”