Herein, by stewardship, I mean the care of a resource (person, place or thing) which either maintains or enhances its value. Leadership was the topic in the last post. One of the outcomes of good leadership is the stewardship of that which one leads or controls. Whether leading oneself or others, that leader has options ranging from waste to coveting the resources at hand. There is a responsibility to be a good steward that would seem to transcend one’s worldview – but, perhaps not – let’s look deeper.
Accountability
The resource that a steward has responsibility for may not be a person or persons, albeit they may be the most important – it depends on your worldview! Many corporations cite (perhaps somewhat gratuitously) that “…people are their most important products/resources…” Our environment is one resource that should obviously be the target of everyone’s good stewardship. It is the “soup” in which we swim and is thus, indirectly, the stewardship of persons. To continue the environmental stewardship example, what drives people to take care of their surroundings? At the corporate level, governments are attempting to regulate environmental pollution, with mixed success. There are numerous conflicts of interest among those involved, including fundamental disagreements on the earth’s dynamic range to absorb our insults to it. Now, what about the individual level?
In one’s individual sphere of interaction, one can err on the side of caution, with whatever resource use or allocation one makes, only if one’s worldview encompasses that particular choice. We all have the responsibility to steward the relationships in which we find ourselves. Are we going to be a sanctuary for those relationships or abuse them for some materialistic purpose? For those of us who are parents, we understand the concept of sanctuary, born out of love for our offspring. From a Biblical worldview, this concept issues from John 14:23 . If a worldview calls you to love your neighbor, might not that calling extend from your family to the people where you work. Therein, one could positively impact the corporate culture – what a concept !
Transformation
If one loves life, then by your care for the souls around you, i.e., stewardship, one can be an agent of transformation in those lives. The nature of that transformation will be a direct consequence of one’s worldview. A brief look at human history will validate that benevolence likely breeds benevolence, while violence usually breeds more violence. As Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.” There is a problem if one’s worldview is so askew, that in one’s myopia, he thinks he is doing good. Then, the stewardship for the good of those even at the fringes of his sphere of interaction will not have an opportunity to facilitate transformation in the steward’s life.
One’s standard for good is paramount. It should be driving one to be an encourager and supporter of those he sees in need around him. How often have you wished you had the skills to coach someone through a difficult situation. We don’t have to travel around the world to minister to the needy. Just look in your own “back yard” and listen to how your “worldview” is speaking to your heart. If you’re not called to act, if you’re not called to forgive, perhaps some introspection is in order.
Celebration
Often neglected in stewardship is the celebration of successes. One can get so enmeshed in caring for needs, that the nourishment to the soul of the celebrants that comes from the recognition of really good outcomes can be overlooked. The good steward is reaffirmed in his worldview to continue his lifestyle of encouragement, while the focus of the celebration feels loved by the outpouring of affection for his success. Those participating in these celebrations can be spurred on to lives of philanthropy, in either relationships or asset allocations, as encouragers in future circumstances. Anyone who has experienced the joy of giving of their time, treasure, or talent knows the sense of purpose that is reinforced by these events.
If one takes the opportunities that arise within their sphere of interaction to care for obvious needs, transformation will occur – one’s worldview will determine the value of that change.
