Walk in FreedomSample

How Do I Use What I Have?

A steward is a manager of something that belongs to someone else. God owns everything, and we are stewards of the things He has entrusted to us. This responsibility includes our time. The world often fails to recognize God and His sovereignty over all things. Everything is a gift from Him, including our days, and we should use them wisely. The world’s attitude is, “Life is short, so get everything you can while you can.” People spend their time seeking positions, power, pleasures, and possessions, but such things lose their luster. When that happens, they seek higher levels of things in a never-ending search for fulfillment. The Bible teaches that we should live for God because everything on this earth will be destroyed. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10 NIV).

You have been given life, and every second is a gift from God. What will you do with your time? Don’t sacrifice your relationship with God in an effort to accumulate temporary things. Moses wrote, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NLT). If we compare this fleeting world to God’s everlasting Kingdom, making wise choices with our time shouldn’t be difficult. We cannot take the things we accumulate in this world into eternity. Those things will stay behind and will belong to someone else. But when our time is focused on building God’s Kingdom, God can use our witness to bring others to Christ, and they will “be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17 NIV). In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul wrote, “Be very careful, then how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (NIV). Now is the only time you have to make choices that will influence eternity. Invest your time and your focus on building God’s Kingdom.

ACT: Be intentional today to turn everything you spend time on over to God. Before working, washing dishes, gardening, watching TV or any other activity, thank God for the opportunity, and ask Him to make the most of your time. Whether it is to make your work fruitful or impactful for the Kingdom, or to allow your hobbies to refresh you, ask that He be part of it.

This plan has been adapted from “Walk in Freedom: 30 Days to Understanding God’s Design for Your Money, Identity and Purpose.” Now that you've had a taste of each of the five questions, continue your journey to answer the question "Who Am I?". Download the 6-day devotional by clicking here.

Crown has been teaching Biblical stewardship principles like the ones in this study for over 45 years. Additional financial tools, resources and YouVersion studies are available on our website at www.crown.org. It will be our privilege to serve you.