Adulthood #3 — Being Faithful – Stewarding What God Has Entrusted
As disciples mature, there is a significant shift in the way they view their lives. They come to recognise a profound truth that reshapes every decision they make:
My life is not my own.
This isn't a burdensome realisation—it is a liberating one. Mature disciples understand that everything they have and everything they are belongs to God. Their life has been redeemed by Christ, entrusted to them by the Father, and empowered by the Holy Spirit for God's purposes.
Faithfulness, then, becomes one of the defining characteristics of spiritual adulthood.
The question is no longer, "What do I want to do with my life?" Instead, it becomes, "How does God want to use my life for His purposes?"
Jesus captures this beautifully in the Parable of the Talents. At the conclusion of the parable, the master says to the faithful servant, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21)
The servant is commended because he faithfully stewarded what had been entrusted to him. His faithfulness is evidenced by his fruitfulness. He invested what the master had given him, and his stewardship produced an increase.
Notice what follows. The master says, "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." In God's Kingdom, faithfulness develops trust. As we demonstrate that we can faithfully steward what God has already entrusted to us, He entrusts us with greater responsibility.
This is not simply a reward; it is the natural progression of faithful stewardship. God looks for people He can trust with His work. Mature disciples understand that significance is not found in pursuing greater influence, but in faithfully stewarding today's opportunities. Tomorrow's responsibilities remain in God's hands.
This is the pattern we see throughout Scripture. God entrusts; we steward faithfully; and faithful stewardship bears fruit, which leads the Father to entrust us with more. Fruitfulness is not something separate from faithfulness—it is its clearest expression.
Jesus Himself reminds us of this in John 15:16, "I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last."
The fruit Jesus speaks about is not simply activity or accomplishment. It is the enduring result of a life faithfully lived in partnership with Him. It is in lives transformed, including our own, for the Kingdom. As we faithfully steward what He has entrusted to us, our lives bear fruit that brings glory to God and advances His Kingdom.
The servant is not praised because he possessed the greatest ability or achieved the greatest influence. He is commended because he faithfully stewarded what had been entrusted to him.
This is the heart of biblical stewardship.
Adult disciples recognise that they are stewards, not owners. Everything ultimately belongs to God. As King David declared, "Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand" 1 Chronicles 29:14.
This changes how we view every area of life.
We faithfully steward our influence, recognising that every conversation has the potential to point someone toward Christ.
We faithfully steward our relationships, investing in people with love, patience, forgiveness, and generosity.
We faithfully steward our finances, understanding that our resources are gifts to be used wisely for God's Kingdom.
We faithfully steward opportunities, seeing each one as a divine appointment rather than merely a personal advantage.
We faithfully steward responsibilities, whether large or small, knowing that faithfulness is measured in ordinary obedience.
We faithfully steward our time, recognising that each day is a gift from God that can never be reclaimed.
We faithfully steward our abilities, using the gifts, passions, skills and talents God has given us to serve others rather than promote ourselves.
Faithfulness is not measured by comparison with others. God has never asked us to steward someone else's life. Instead, He simply asks us to be faithful with what He has placed in our own hands.
This is one of the beautiful characteristics of mature discipleship. Adult disciples stop striving to build their own kingdom and instead devote themselves to advancing God's Kingdom. They understand that significance is not found in accumulating more, but in faithfully managing what has already been entrusted to them.
At the end of our lives, the Lord will not ask how successful, wealthy, influential, or admired we became.
But He will certainly know whether we were faithful.
And for the mature disciple, there is no greater longing than to hear those wonderful words:
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
Reflection Questions
When you consider your life, do you see yourself primarily as an owner or as a steward? How does that perspective affect your daily decisions?
Which area of stewardship—time, relationships, influence, finances, opportunities, responsibilities, or abilities—comes most naturally to you? Which requires greater intentionality?
Has your thinking shifted from asking, "What do I want to do?" to asking, "How does God want to use me?" What might that look like in this season of life?
How are you helping those you disciple understand that faithful stewardship is part of spiritual maturity?
Closing Prayer
Father God,
Thank You that everything I have ultimately belongs to You. Thank You for entrusting me with opportunities, relationships, abilities, resources, and influence to serve Your Kingdom. Help me to be a faithful steward in every area of my life. Keep me from seeking my own glory or measuring myself against others. Instead, teach me to walk in humble obedience, faithfully using all You have entrusted to me for Your purposes. May my greatest desire be to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." In Jesus' name. Amen.
Call to Action
This week, prayerfully consider the things God has entrusted to your care. Choose one area—perhaps your time, your relationships, your finances, or your abilities—and ask, "Am I stewarding this faithfully for God's purposes?" Then take one practical step that reflects faithful stewardship. Small acts of faithfulness, consistently lived, become the testimony of a mature disciple.
This blog was written by Richard Botta.
