1. The principle of ownership. A leader has privilege, responsibility, and authority because he has been given these by his master. A steward doesn’t own; he holds in trust and uses what he has been given for the one who owns it. Arrogance and pride don’t have any place in this equation. The title deed to our lives and the entire universe is in God’s name. He holds all the rights of ownership.
No organization—be it a family, company, or church—is created for the leader, nor is it created by the leader. Everything we have comes from God. The Bible is clear. He owns it all:
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Ps. 24:1)
In response to this divine claim, Abraham Kuyper, prime minister of the Netherlands at the turn of the twentieth century, proclaimed: “There is not one square millimeter of this entire creation about which Jesus Christ does not cry out, ‘This is mine! It belongs to me!’ ” Everything in this world is God’s by right of creation and by right of preservation as well. All that we have added to Creation—the skills and abilities we’ve used and the things we’ve developed—are from God. We don’t even own the fruit of our own work. He reminded the Jews of this before they entered the Promised Land.
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth (Deut. 8:17-18).
Every individual is also His by right of creation and by right of redemption.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
Nothing belongs to us, not even our lives. As much as I might like to define myself by the size of my home, the speed of my car, or my title at work, everything I am and everything I have is God’s. As leaders, we must be constantly aware that our time, skills, and energy, and every resource, person, and opportunity comes from God. To read more click here to go to The High Calling.
1 response so far ↓
Sam Van Eman // February 25, 2009 at 11:49 am |
I like this concept, Bill. I learned about Kuyper about ten years ago, and his line of thought helped me to dismantle quite a few sacred/secular barriers.
I work with college students and encourage them with confidence to pursue their careers as stewards. They don’t have to become youth ministers or priests. They can steward math and physics and research and product design, and be just as honoring to the Lord.
The challenge is remembering they are stewards and not owners.