Are you stewarding or controlling?
I recently heard one of my teammates say that we have an incredible opportunity to steward the gifts God has given us.
And while I loved this thought it led me to an interesting question:
What is the difference between stewarding and controlling?
Obviously, they both have to do with the outcome of the event/gift. And yet, as we think about the notion of both they feel very different.
For example, if I control outcomes, then I am manipulating something for my own desires. Yet, if I am stewarding an event then I don’t know how it is going to end, but I know I was obedient in the process.
The more I contemplated the differences the more I realized that my posture in the process is probably the biggest difference.
If I am controlling I am tight-fisted, desiring something super specific. And if I am stewarding an outcome then I am open-handed and obedient to what the Lord has next.
The most important benefit of stewarding vs controlling is that when we steward something for the Lord we are allowing the Lord to work. While controlling may feel more secure or safe what I’m really doing is cutting the Lord out of the process.
Are you stewarding your ministry or controlling it?
Are you stewarding your family or controlling them?
Are you stewarding your gifts or dictating outcomes?
Luke 22:42
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”