Whole-life stewardship: Reflections on God’s Generosity

The Holy Bible reveals the Creator of the universe. In Paul’s epistles, he highlights the creative power of God through Jesus Christ. The apostle John also spoke about this Creator. John declared that all things, both visible and invisible, were made by the Supreme Creator who holds all things under his supreme authority.

From the very beginning, God, the creator, designed humanity to participate in his work. After creating the earth, God created Adam and Eve, giving them a big responsibility: stewardship. By extension, stewardship is God’s responsibility to humanity. We are examining this concept of whole-life stewardship, so I want to highlight a few areas that call us to reflect on God’s generosity in every aspect of our lives. The second chapter of Genesis verses eight, fifteen, and surrounding verses shed light on this examination.

While in the garden of Eden, part of Adam and Eve’s responsibility revolved around taking care of the garden. God made everything beautiful, and Eve and Adam were given the responsibility to maintain this ecological balance.  Humanity carries this environment duty to maintain and keep  God’s beautiful creation.  A deeper concern for God’s creation helps humanity to reflect on God’s generosity in our lives. A responsible care for our environment makes life sustainable, and in turn, reflects the glory of God.

Whole-life stewardship extends beyond a single task; it is a way of life. As we examine this concept, we see how God’s generosity calls us to respond with care and faithfulness in every aspect of our existence. The apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians to diligently work as though working for the Lord. This kind of commitment and dedication to work reflects on the generosity of God who empowers and renews our energy and strength on a daily basis. Solomon also spoke about work in relationship to God’s generosity in empowering humanity with stewardship. He said, “Whatever you do, do it with all your might.” In other words, applying ourselves to work reflects God’s gift of work in our lives.

Whole-life stewardship is like project management where a manager considers various aspects, all working together to a final completion. Our lives should reflect God’s glory in the way we dress, in the way we work, in the way we decorate, and in the way we relate with others. Relating with other people is another area where we reflect God’s generosity in stewardship.

Within the initial stewardship of relationships, there lay God’s blessing on humanity to multiply and “fill the earth.” This multiplication factor held the potential of birthing other relationships. Eve’s marriage relationship to Adam birthed children, creating the parent/child relationship. Humanity has multiplied and so have relationships. There are relationships between employers and employees, neighbors, and members of Christ’s Body, to name a few.

Each one of these relationships, when taken as stewardship divinely bestowed on humanity, would reflect God’s generosity. Forgiveness is a primary need of stewardship in relationships. Jesus said offences are likely to happen in relationships. However, our Lord emphasizes that forgiveness is of greater value in stewardship. This reflects God’s character of forgiveness. God is a generous giver.  God the Father generously gave Jesus the Christ as a gift to the world, so that humanity may receive forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16, 36).

Whole-life stewardship is our response to God’s generosity in all aspects of life. As we reflect on this calling, let us ask ourselves:

• How do we approach our work?
  • Do we see our work as an opportunity to reflect God’s generosity, or merely as a duty?
  • How can we dedicate our efforts — whether in our job, home, or ministry — as an offering to God?
• How are we stewarding relationships?
  • Are we reflecting God’s generosity through kindness, forgiveness, and love?
  • Who in our lives needs to experience the grace and generosity of Christ through us?
• Are we using our resources wisely?
  • Stewardship includes our time, finances, and talents.
  • How can we align these areas with God’s calling to live generously?

Stewardship stems from God’s economy of life. Whole-life stewardship is humanity’s response to reflect God’s generosity in every aspect human life. Our individual and collective stewardship reflects in thanksgiving, praise, worship, giving, service, forgiveness, living, and sharing the gospel.  I pray that our whole-life stewardship will reflect God’s generosity in all areas of our lives.