SELF STEWARDSHIP

The word "stewardship" more often than not, brings to mind financial responsibilities. I still remember,however, the moment God showed me that being a good steward was more encompassing than how I managed my money.

Preparing for a speaking event, I sat at my kitchen counter putting the final touches on a Time Management session. Pausing, I asked The Father to give me a particular scripture to help busy women learn how to manage their time. Within seconds, a verse that I had learned as a child sprang to mind.

" 'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,' says the LORD of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.' "   (Malachi 3:10 NKJV)

Being a bit puzzled about that particular scripture coming to mind as the answer to my request, I said . . .

“But Lord, I said . . . TIME not TITHE.”

Those next audible words that came out of my mouth still bring a smile. As if He were sitting across from me intently looking into my face, God spoke…

SAME THING. BRING YOUR TIME TO ME, SINCERELY AND CONSISTENTLY. YOU'LL SEE HOW I WILL OPEN UP THE STOREHOUSE OF HEAVEN AND POUR OUT MORE BLESSING THAN YOU CAN RECEIVE.

My heart was immediately filled with joy, and not only for the women who would be at next week's conference, but for myself. I had often felt defeated because of not spending "enough time" with my Heavenly Father. Then there were those other women who seemed to have it all together, with no issues of consistently spending time with Jesus.

Oh I had good reasons; In my younger years it was children and a packed-out schedule that stole my minutes. Later years brought a speaking ministry and much preparation of studying and writing books.

But even so, it seemed that the moments I spent in devotion and ENJOYABLE Bible reading were a trivial offering to God whom I loved. That reality often filled me with sadness, along with guilt.

His tender words brought a healing balm to my remorseful soul that day. I was overcome with God's promise of blessing for those who love Him. You see, God honors a heart that longs to be with Him. Understanding the many hats you wear in your life, He calls you to faithfully spend time - even if it's a little time - with Him each day. Each season of life will offer a specific time allotment for getting to know and love God.

In your schedule right now, you may not have a lot of time, but you have SOME time, right? Allow God to bless you for loving Him enough to give Him your time. It’s about You and Jesus – no need to compare your times with Him to anyone else’s walk with Him.

As you worship and spend time talking out your hopes and dreams with the Lord, your soul will begin to feel satisfied. As your times of consistently stepping into Scripture with anticipation and expectancy increase– you’ll find you simply cannot get enough of these moments with Him.

A steward is one who “manages something on behalf of someone else.”

The REAL YOU – the one identified as His daughter or son living in all of His righteousness, has the opportunity to steward the FLESHLY YOU as you navigate through the ins and outs of earthly living.

How are you measuring up with your personal stewardship of SELF?

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”    (Galatians 6:4,5 NLT)