Contentment part 4

We are called to be stewards, but what in the world is a steward?  A good steward is someone who looks after the resources of another with their best interest at heart.  We have already established that everything we have in this world is ultimately from God.  However, it is not my job, in the name of Godly stewardship to manage my neighbor’s resources.  God gave me certain resources that I am to manage with the ultimate goal of having God’s interest at heart. 

So what is God interested in? 
The Body of Christ
Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”
The gospel
Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”  
Others coming to Christ
2 Corinthians 5:20-21, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Healthy marriages and families
Colossians 3:18-21, “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them.  Children, be obedient to your parents in all things. For this is well-pleasing to the Lord.  Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart.”

This is just to name a few.  Imagine how your life would be different if with everything you had, you sought out how you could use it to invest in the things God is interested in?  God, how do you want me to use my tax refund, my bonus, my home, my free time, my car?  Would anything in your life look different?  If so, maybe God is calling you to make these changes as His steward.  Here are a few resources we have that God wants a say in how we are using them. 

Are you a good steward of your time?
Ephesians 5:15-17, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Are you a good steward of your talent?
Ephesians 4:11, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”
Are you a good steward of your treasure?
2 Corinthians 9:6, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one much do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 

So, are you a good steward?