Two passages of scripture that are often referenced as the way God wants us to approach our days and nights have been hard for me to internalize and really understand how they fit into my life as a business owner, business advisor, legal counsel and entrepreneur.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34
For years, I had a hard time reconciling these verses with the need to plan, save and prepare for the future in both business and life.
And then, in a moment of divine revelation, the connection between (1) Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:34, (20 God's instruction to not worry or be anxious and (3) preparing for the future.
The connection is stewardship!
When we are good stewards of what God has given us – good health, time, relationships, money – we have done what God requires of us.
Let's delve into the practicalities of good stewardship …
Be a good steward of your time. Do what matters. Focus on relationships. Focus on sales. Focus on client experience. Focus on staff experience. Outsource or stop doing everything else. Use the life of Jesus here on earth as your model for how to employ time.
Be a good steward of your relationships. Be present with those in your presence. Be intentional about making non-negotiable space for those who matter to you. Pay your staff on time. Deliver to your clients and customers on time. Pay your contractors on time.
Be a good steward of your money. Tithe. Save. Investment. Create a budget and follow it. Be generous. Give your money assignments and hold it accountable.
Do your best every day to perfect these areas of stewardship without worry or anxiety about what you did yesterday or will do tomorrow.
Focus on doing the best that you can today, letting God handle what has been done and what is to come.
Are the things I've described easy to do? Absolutely not. I often fail in some areas only to reset during a day and start again the next day stronger and better than ever before.
Will focusing your energy on stewardship in the keys of your life transform your life? Absolutely.
When you focus on doing what God has called you to do in the only moment you can count on (the one you are in right now), you are giving yourself the opportunity to be all who God created you to be (his faithful servant) .. while trusting God to be who He is, our Lord and Savior.
Your focus on daily stewardship opens you up to relying on God to bless your stewardship. This focus opens the doors to your peace in being anxious for nothing, letting tomorrow take care of itself.
NEXT STEPS
Focus on today, be a good steward of what you have today, keep your eye on Jesus “the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
