Weir in PNG

Repost from 6/18/09)

The concept of stewardship is about how you handle those resources that have been entrusted to you. The core idea in the Christian definition of stewardship is that you don't "own" anything. All your stuff, your relationships, even your life and future, has been entrusted to you by God, to be used for His glory. That is a very foreign way for all of us to think! It is all about whether or not you recognize God's sovereignty in your life. As Christians, we believe that we will be called to account one day, to explain how we have used those resources. (The good news is, of course, that whether we did a good job or a poor one, our destination is secure in the person of Jesus)

Good stewards manage their resources well. They utilize time, money, and resources so that each will produce maximum benefit for the owner of those resources. The good manager takes what is important to his boss, and makes it important to him. He does not neglect a perfectly good resource, nor does he allow it to be actively be destroyed or stolen. If it is put out of commission by vandals, or falls apart due to misuse, it is no longer working to achieve the aims of the boss.

Why is it different for our lives? Are we less important than a cog in a machine, or a tool? If we do nothing to maintain ourselves (eating, sleeping, etc.) we can fall apart and become useless. If we do nothing to protect ourselves, we may become too scared to work, or be harmed and therefore unable to work.

I realize this line of thinking only works to a point. The whole point of life (if you believe Jesus' words) is to glorify God. If in death, I can do that, then maybe my death can achieve that. But even Paul chose to continue life in order to achieve more for God. (Philippians 1:20-26)

Being willing to lay down one's life for Christ is much different than falling victim to crime. In Papua New Guinea, we are not persecuted for being Christian. In fact, The Organization is welcomed in that country and their work is encouraged by the PNG government! Unlike other areas of the world, crime is our biggest concern. Ukarumpa is a town mostly filled by westerners and our resources. Each house is an inviting target for thieves and robbers. Highway banditry is also a concern in some areas.

We would be irresponsible, not "strong in faith" if we did nothing to protect ourselves, our families, and our property. If the time were to come when we are targeted for our faith, let that be the time we stand up proudly, showing what the Love of God really means. In the meantime, be proactive, and conscious of the fact that you can be a target of crime anywhere.

In my short career, I have come to believe that being a victim is a state of mind. It is possible to live in a dangerous place and be a target for crime, but never be a victim. By taking reasonable steps, designed to meet the threats of your specific location, you can avoid becoming a victim.

Caleb