Extreme Stewardship: All of Life for Christ

We often think like owners. We need to stop thinking ownership and start thinking stewardship. In our culture, we're taught to acquire, possess, and control. We believe we own our calendar, our money, our houses, our plans, our families, our kids, even our lives. But the gospel radically renews our minds. The Bible says, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1). We are not owners. We are managers, entrusted with God's good gifts. 

Jesus calls His followers to what I like to call “Extreme Stewardship”. This isn’t about earning God's favor. It's our joyful response to the amazing grace we've received in Christ. The Gospel tells us that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).  We were bought with a precious price—the very life of Jesus. Therefore, as 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us, "You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.”

This truth transforms our perspective. If Christ has given His all for us, how can we not offer our lives as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1-2)? Extreme stewardship recognizes that our talents, our time, our treasures, and even our very breath are not ours, but precious gifts from a loving God. Jesus taught often about this, like in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where servants were entrusted with varying amounts and expected to invest them and multiply them. Or consider the Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-13), which calls us to use our worldly resources strategically for eternal purposes and relationships. 

What does this look like? It means using your unique gifts and qualities (teaching, serving, hospitality, leading, humor, creativity, wisdom, training, intelligence, generosity, etc.) and resources (like your house or car or business) to serve others and make disciples, not just on Sunday, but every day. It means using your finances to support gospel ministry locally and globally and to meet people’s needs. It means stewarding your time so that you walk closely with Jesus in prayer and the Word, build up your church, intentionally disciple your children, and love your neighbors well. 

This isn't a call to a burdensome life (God’s commands are not burdensome to true Christians), but to one filled with Christ-exalting purpose and joy. When we surrender our lives to Christ's Lordship in every area, we find true freedom and meaning. It's a life lived not for our own glory, but for His—a life that testifies to the life-changing power of the Gospel. Let's embrace extreme stewardship, turning everything we are and have into a living sacrifice for Jesus Christ.