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Principle #2 – “We are lifelong stewards of the gifts with which God has blessed us.”

A few weeks ago, we shared Principle #1, “All we have belongs to God and our blessings are gifts from God.” This week, we review Principle #2, “We are lifelong stewards of the gifts with which God has blessed us.”

In Principle #2, we are made aware, as a recipient of God’s gifts, a responsibility to take care of our gifts – not for a day, week, month, or year, but for a lifetime (lifelong stewards).

Another word frequently used in the context of “taking care” is entrusted, which is defined as “a duty involving trust.” We have been given gifts and asked to take care of these gifts during our lifetime.

Our entire lives as stewards are a process of recognizing and responding to God’s grace. We do this most profoundly when we acknowledge the gifts we have been given and discern what work or service most identifies with what we have to give.

Stewardship, as a way of life, is putting our faith into practice. When we make a commitment to live as disciples and grow as good stewards, our daily decisions about ways we use our gifts become focused and centered on Jesus, and not ourselves.

Each day is a gift – our time, the blessings of talents, strengths, skills, and abilities are gifts entrusted to us by God. When we make a commitment to live as disciples and grow as good stewards, we begin to discover a rewarding and fruitful way of life and a source of deep joy.

When we take this realization to heart, we see that we have much for which to be grateful. How do you thank God for your many blessings?