Please give a warm welcome to our guest contributor and East Texas girl, Kristin Koonce. Kristin told me when I asked her to write a guest post for Peacefully Imperfect about stewardship, that her eyes lit up because she had chosen steward, as her focus word for 2017. She says that, “Regardless of my circumstances, I want to be all in and give my very best. This is obviously easier said than done. It’s challenging and uncomfortable and I’ve failed more times than I’d like to admit…but I’m trying! I believe giving your best glorifies God…and if something is placed in our hands or in our heart, we need to take care of it.” 

As Christians, we have a stewardship obligation to make the most of where we are. 

The average person does enough to get by. They cut corners and do the bare minimum. No more, no less.

But as Christians, we are not called to be average. God doesn’t want us to do the bare minimum. He doesn’t want us to exert just enough effort to get by.

God wants our very best work and effort. He wants us to exceed and surpass what others are asking of us and we do this by giving utmost effort towards all things. 

Colossians 3:23-24 encourages us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Wherever our feet walk, wherever our hands lay, God wants us to make the most of what He has placed in front of us.

This means making the most of your location, your relationships, and your gifts/talents.

1. Location

It’s easy to get wrapped up in where we’re not.

We look at our surroundings and find ourselves bitter or discouraged because we’re not where we want to be. Comparison creeps in. We dwell on the opportunities we’re missing out on rather than honing in on the opportunities around us. 

You are not here by accident. God is not surprised by your location or your circumstances, nor is He limited by them. Maybe you wish you lived in a different city or held a different position at work.

Regardless, you are where you are and it’s your responsibility to make the most of it.

Just because the opportunities around you are not plain as day does not mean they are nonexistent. Be patient and allow God to work in your surroundings.

Giving your best where you currently are will equip you for where you’re going!

You are here to learn; look for what God is trying to teach you.

2. Relationships

These are your people. God has entrusted them to you. Whether they are your friends, family, colleagues, students, etc., your job is to make the most of your time with them. Show them the love of Christ through your words and actions. Display the fruits of the Spirit and allow Christ to shine through you, even when things get a little rocky.

Encourage each other.

Be gracious and merciful.

Forgive.

Lend your time.

Listen.

Sit with them in the dark and face the hard stuff with them.

Be their cheerleader.

Support them.

Giving your best isn’t about carelessly managing the relationships around you. It’s about choosing to love those around you unconditionally whether things are extremely hard or ridiculously easy. It’s about pursuing them with intentionality.

We really have no idea what is going on in the lives of those around us.

When we choose to steward our relationships well, things happen. Lives are changed.

3. Gifts/Passions

God has given each of us unique gifts and passions.

There is a reason God chose you to bear the gifts and passions you have. We are all designed to reach different people in different ways.

We further God’s Kingdom here on earth by coming together as a team and playing our roles, using our gifts and talents. There is nobody else who can do it quite like you can.

We are called to be good stewards of the gifts and passions God HANDPICKED for us and use them to help advance His Kingdom here on earth. This is how He fulfills His purposes through us.

Don’t keep your gifts and passions from others because of shame or embarrassment. Giving your best means embracing them unashamedly and living them out boldly!

There is a reason those things make you feel alive! They’re supposed to! You have a stewardship obligation to pursue your gifts and passions so you can point others to the cross!

If we want to be good stewards, we have to be productive and proactive. This means giving your best no matter where you are, what you’re doing, or who you’re with.

There is a reason you are here, with these specific gifts/passions, surrounded by these people.

How you steward what is entrusted to you is your responsibility. No one else’s. 

Don’t do the bare minimum. Make the most of what God has placed right in front of you. Stop neglecting your stewardship obligations and start giving your best! 

Kristin