In July of 2008 as I crossed the US, I found myself musing about stewardship and the gifting of our time, talent and treasure to those who really need it.
The musing is here for those who are interested.
Recently I was thinking about the people I encounter who have a wide spectrum of interest and understanding regarding stewardship, ranging from a light curiosity to a maniacal, passionate desire to maximize their stewardship results. As I thought about their definition and manifestation of stewardship, I found myself doodling on an index card about a better way to express stewardship in a way that was brief, easy to remember and hopefully impactful.
As I doodled, I thought others might be interested in my musing as well and so I share the picture that resulted.
I would like to thank everyone who reviewed this picture. In particular, I would like to thank Leonard Szymczak (http://www.leonardszymczak.com) who reviewed it and pointed out two key components that I missed, namely the development of love and community through stewardship. Thank you, Leonard!!
Feel free to share this picture as long as you do not use it for professional or revenue generating purposes and as long as you give full credit to me as outlined on the diagram.
Click on this image to magnify it.
In a world that sometimes seems insane (at least according to the media), it is important to realize that the practice of stewardship benefits the giver, the recipient and anyone who observes an act of stewardship taking place.
Given that everyone benefits from acts of stewardship, wouldn’t it stand to reason that in this case, we can’t get enough of a good thing?
As I noted in my earlier stewardship article, many of us are phenomenally blessed with gifts made up of time, talent and treasure in a blend that is unique to each of us.
Maybe we can make a point of being a better steward of those gifts. Wherever we can, we should take a "no prisoners" approach to our stewardship efforts, motivating ourselves to share the incredible wealth of gifts that I know each of us has and manifest this sharing with a sense of urgency.
As far as time is concerned:
- We start out with a fixed amount of time allotted to us
- Once time is used, it cannot be recovered
- We don't know how much we have left.
We always hear the phrase "live every day as if it is your last". Today may actually be your last or mine.
Let that notion put a sense of urgency into your stewardship plans. That is our obligation as participants in the universe.
In service and servanthood.
Harry
Wow! That's an intense musing, and QUITE the "doodle." Puts any doodles I've done to shame. ;)
ReplyDeleteYOU definitely exemplify sooo many of the attritubutes you hold up in your stewardship doodle. Way to lead by example.
Along that line, I would like to say a BIG thank you for your very kind words on my blog today... and wish you the best of luck in the giveaway! :)