Who You Are as a Man: Steward

Via TJC

“Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. …” Genesis 2:19-20a (ESV)

This week we are looking at God-defined roles for Kingdom men, grounded in Genesis.

Today we look at God’s role for Kingdom men as Steward.

God gave the task to Adam of naming every living creature. For many cultures the act of naming symbolizes authority or dominion over the named object. A steward acts under the authority of another. God, as ultimate authority, delegated to Adam to act as steward with authority over creation.

There is power in our words (which we inherit from Adam). In the story of Jacob and Esau, though their father had grown old and blind, both sons desperately sought their father’s blessing. The younger son valued his father’s blessing more. Jacob secured the blessing from his father, which included wealth, land, and authority over his brothers.

Once said, it is difficult to take back our words. When teaching Sunday school sometimes I’ll bring a tube of toothpaste and encourage the kids to squeeze it. Then, I’ll ask the kids to try to put it back in.  Same with our words, once out very difficult to put back in.

When younger and a leader in the church, I often had people come to me for advice and council. At that time I had internalized the thought that certain individuals couldn’t keep up with me. I told him that trying to run with me was like a WW1 Sopwith Camel bi-plane trying to keep up with an F-16, or like trying to mow grass with scissors when I had a riding lawn mower. Since then, both of us have grown up. That other man has since forgiven my words, and we now laugh at that story.

Daily Battle Order: With great authority comes great responsibility. Consider today your God-given calling as Steward and how your words recently impacted those closest to you. Have your words been more for blessing or cursing? Discuss at the dinner table tonight.