It’s easy to slip into the mindset that what we have—our money, our time, our abilities, even the tiny pleasures and the big breaks—belongs to us. But the more I read the Bible, the more obvious it becomes: nothing is truly ours. We’re not the owners. We’re the stewards. And that isn’t a burden; it’s a calling.
Being a steward means taking care of something that doesn’t actually belong to you. Imagine being trusted to look after a friend’s house. You water the plants, feed the pets, maybe even fix that annoying drip in the bathroom, because you want your friend to come home to something even better than they left. That’s the same kind of responsibility God asks of us. Everything we have—our lives, our resources, our opportunities—comes from Him. 1 Corinthians 4:2 puts it this way: “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” That hits home for me. God isn’t expecting us to be perfect—He just wants us to be faithful. To show up. To use what we have.
I’ll admit, sometimes I wish God would give me more—more talent, more resources, more hours in the day. But I have to remember: God knows what I can handle. The times I’ve felt stretched or challenged, those have been moments when He was helping me grow, trusting me with just enough for the next step.
Stewardship shows up in what people call the 4 T’s: Time, Talents, Treasures, and Trees. Every second is a chance to serve, to love, or just to be present. Our skills, no matter how ordinary they seem, are meant to be used and shared. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Our treasures—money, stuff, opportunities—aren’t trophies for our shelves but tools to bless and help others. Even the earth matters. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” We’re called to care for creation, too.
But there’s another kind of stewardship that’s even more important: we’re stewards of God’s Word. The Bible isn’t just for personal encouragement or a quick pick-me-up. It’s the most valuable treasure we’ve been given. We’re called to read it, meditate on it, apply it to our lives, and share it with others. God’s Word has the power to change us and the people around us. If we really believe that, we can’t keep it to ourselves.
Maybe the hardest lesson is this: We’re stewards, not owners. That means holding everything with open hands and asking, “How can I use this well?” instead of, “How can I keep this for myself?” It means letting go of the fear that there won’t be enough and trusting that God knows exactly what I need.
Stewardship isn’t about playing it safe, either. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents. The servants who took risks and invested what they were given were the ones who were praised. The one who played it safe and hid his gift out of fear lost even the little he had. Jesus says, “For to everyone who has, more will be given… but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” God wants us to step out in faith, not hide what we’ve been entrusted with.
At the end of the day, God isn’t comparing us to anyone else. He’s not asking for more than we can give. He simply wants us to be faithful with what He’s put in our hands—including His Word. That’s what stewardship really looks like.
So today, I’m trying to see things differently. My time, my talents, my treasures, my little piece of the world, and the truth of God’s Word—all of it is a gift I get to steward. It’s not just a responsibility. It’s an invitation to be part of something bigger, to make a difference, and to leave everything a little better than I found it. And honestly, that’s the kind of life that matters.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank You for every good gift You’ve placed in our lives—our time, our talents, our resources, and most of all, Your Word. Help us see ourselves as stewards, not owners, and to hold everything with open hands. Give us wisdom to use what You’ve given us well, courage to step out in faith, and hearts that are willing to serve and share. Teach us to treasure Your Word above all else—help us to read it, live it, and share it with others. May our lives reflect Your faithfulness, and may everything we do bring honor to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.