Why Stewardship Actually Matters
Photo by Holly Raven (Mandarich) on Unsplash
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) says:
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.”
What does it mean to be a steward?
I hear this word being tossed around a lot this time of year as it is often associated with taking care of the earth. To be a steward means to take care of something that has been entrusted to you, with responsibility and respect.
Take a second and think about all the areas in your life where you are tasked with taking responsibility. It could be younger siblings, your home, your finances, your schoolwork. All of these aspects require your stewardship in order to properly function and succeed for you and those around you.
So, why is stewardship important? Well, it helps us move from a “this is mine” to a “this is ours” mindset. It ensures that the things we value prosper and grow; that things don’t get wasted, neglected, or destroyed. Without it, nothing that is created would be passed down to others, meaning that the world would lose so much of what makes it amazing. Think about the environment, and how, if we don’t take care of it, future generations won’t be able to bask in the glory of all the nature around us. Good stewardship means future generations (and even you!) can enjoy the things you cared for today.
How can we be good stewards in our everyday lives?
Although it can be, stewardship doesn’t just mean taking care of our planet. Like I said before, it involves anything that we are responsible for.
Stewards for Community
Stewardship in community looks like supporting and contributing to the needs of those around you. This could look like volunteering at local food banks or retirement homes, being kind and inclusive to those around you, and sharing your values or faith with others.
Stewards for School
Being a steward at school means actively participating in the school life going on around you. Taking a part in school spirit activities, showing new students around, respecting your teachers, and even staying on top of all homework and assignments are all great ways of embodying stewardship at school.
Stewards for the Earth
Of course, with Earth Day being in April there is a lot of motivation from the public to continue the work of taking care of our planet. Activities as simple as recycling, using reusable water bottles, and turning off lights when you're not using them are little but mighty ways of helping the earth thrive. Another awesome way to do this is to invite conversations of stewardship into the classrooms and dinner tables in order to learn together and motivate those around you.
Stewards for Ourselves
Finally, it is incredibly important to show stewardship to ourselves as we are beings who are constantly changing and need to be cared for. There are so many ways of doing this! Some of my favourite ways to practice this are by making sure I am balancing my schoolwork with rest (something that I very much need!). Other things include keeping yourself healthy through exercise, managing stress properly, sharing your talents with those around you, and staying in touch with friends. All of these activities can ensure the very best for your mind and body, showing respect and care for yourself!
When each of us takes responsibility for our role, our resources, and how our actions affect others, the whole group can succeed. Stewardship is not an individual practice, and it cannot be achieved by one singular action either. It is an ongoing mission that requires teamwork and collaboration. Together, let’s each commit to doing our part to make a lasting impact!
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