Living for the Master's Well Done

November 20th, 2024

Author: Becca Early, Foster WV Coordinator
Margin for More - Part 2

As believers, we are all called to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us: our time, talents, and treasures. Stewardship is not just about managing resources; it’s about living purposefully, and with an awareness that everything we have belongs to God.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul reminds us that our lives are not our own: “Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own; for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.”

This truth applies to every area of life. We are called to glorify God in all we do, whether through our physical bodies, the way we use our time, or how we serve others with the gifts and resources He has given us.

As we await Christ's return, the question is not if we will steward well but how. How are we using the time, talents, and treasures entrusted to us in a way that reflects the character of God? How do we live as faithful stewards in a world that often encourages self-centeredness and accumulation?

As a person who works in ministry, every day presents clear opportunities to steward my time and talents for the Kingdom of God. As the Foster WV Coordinator, I have a front-row seat to see how God can use ordinary moments to make an eternal impact. Even though these things are true, if we aren't intentional, we can miss how God wants us to steward opportunities like these.

Living for the Master’s “well done” requires intentionality and a heart willing to follow God’s leading.

Recently, my coworker Grace and I chose to take time to slow down, pray, read, and seek God’s direction for the ministry. This period of reflection and intentional listening was a significant act of stewardship. In a world where there is always a temptation to rush ahead with our plans, stepping back to seek God’s will is a vital step in ensuring that we are faithfully managing the resources He has given us.

Throughout those months, God opened doors within our local Child Protective Services (CPS) agency. I believe that because we took time to seek His guidance, we were able to steward our time, talents, and treasures in a way that not only serves the foster families inside our church but now allows us to serve the children, biological families, foster families and workers of CPS. This is a powerful example of how God honors our willingness to wait on Him and seek His direction. By aligning our work with His purposes, we can serve in a way that is impactful and in line with God’s heart.

1 Peter 4:10 encourages us, “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”

This verse is a reminder that the gifts God has given us are not for our own benefit but for the good of others and the glory of God. Whether you are serving in ministry or any other area of life, you are called to steward your gifts well. This might involve using your natural talents to bless others, offering your time to serve, or using your resources to meet needs. When we view our work as a way to serve God and others, it becomes an act of worship.

It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of life and forget the purpose behind what we do. But living for the Master’s “well done” requires intentionality and a heart willing to follow God’s leading. As we live for the Master's well done, may we always seek His guidance, trust His timing, and serve others with the gifts He has given us. Let’s live with the awareness that our lives are not our own, and that every moment is an opportunity to glorify God.