Be a Wise Steward

Know the state of your flocks,
    and put your heart into caring for your herds,
for riches don’t last forever,
    and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.
After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears
    and the mountain grasses are gathered in,
your sheep will provide wool for clothing,
    and your goats will provide the price of a field.
And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself,
    your family, and your servant girls.
Proverbs 27:23-27 NLT

Proverbs 1:2-4 give us the reason these verses of Proverbs were written:

Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going; ³ A manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair; To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. (The Message Bible)

ln chapter 27 of Proverbs verse 23, we find instructions on how to be a wise steward or manager of what God has given us. If we are to live well in this life, God expects us to care for whatever He has put in our possession. We are not just to put whatever we have in a closet; we are to take personal inventory often and act like we really appreciate the blessings we have.

ln verse 24 we are given insight into why we need to take good care of what we have. No matter how much you have i.e., (riches) they don’t last forever and what you think is coming to you may not come to you. Life is not fair and life does not come with guarantees.

ln verses 25-27 we learn that every year that you are able to work should not be taken for granted. This year of 2020 should have taught us that we cannot assume that work will be available. We cannot assume that next year will be better. Remember you need to take care of yourself, your family, and others that may depend on you.

Call to Action: Personally, commit to God that you will begin to learn to live life well by reading and following God’s manual for living every day.