Improper Stewardship Doesn't Always Look Like Neglect
When people hear the word stewardship, they often think about money, resources, or time. But stewardship extends beyond those things. It also includes our gifts, influence, decisions, and the work we put into the world.
Sometimes improper stewardship doesn't look rebellious. Sometimes it looks like neglecting to ask questions we should have asked, overlooking warning signs, or moving forward simply because we can.
I learned this lesson through a piece of artwork.
In 2023, I was deep in my creative flow—drawing, writing poems, short stories, and songs, as I had done for nearly two decades. One evening, I sat with my sketchpad and began drawing a face. I didn't know who it was or what it represented. I simply followed the process until the image was complete.
At first, I admired the technical side of it. The shading felt strong. The details came together well. It was one of those pieces that naturally grabs your attention.
But something felt off.
The longer I looked at it, the more unsettled I became. There was a heaviness I couldn't explain. I found myself unable to look at the image for very long. Instead of bringing peace, it created discomfort.
Yet despite those feelings, I shared it publicly.
After all, it was art.
Over time, I noticed something interesting. The people who were most drawn to the piece were often connected to beliefs, practices, and spiritual paths that did not align with Christ. Others simply admired the artwork without understanding what it communicated. Regardless of their intentions, the experience forced me to consider something I had not thought deeply about before:
Just because I create something does not automatically mean it should be shared.
As creators, we are not only responsible for producing work. We are responsible for stewarding it. God is the Creator, and because we are made in His image, our ability to create is part of what He has entrusted to us (Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:28).
That means asking questions such as:
Where is this coming from?
What does this produce?
What influence does it carry?
Does it point people toward truth or away from it?
Am I sharing it because it is beneficial, or simply because I made it?
Eventually, through prayer, reflection, and conversations with a trusted believer, I realized I had overlooked the responsibility attached to my gift. I had focused on the ability to create while neglecting the responsibility to discern.
That realization was humbling.
Improper stewardship is not always wasting a gift. Sometimes it is using a gift without wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 9:10).
It can look like creating without seeking God.
It can look like sharing without discernment.
It can look like pursuing expression without considering impact.
It can look like valuing creativity more than obedience.
Scripture teaches that everything entrusted to us ultimately belongs to God. Our gifts are not exempt from that truth. We are called to manage them faithfully, not simply exercise them freely. Even creative skill itself is something God can give, direct, and purpose for His purposes (Exodus 31:3-5).
Being a good steward means recognizing that our work carries influence. Whether we write, teach, draw, lead, speak, or build, our creations travel further than we often realize. They reach people we may never meet. They shape thoughts, emotions, and perspectives.
That is why stewardship requires more than skill.
It requires wisdom and instruction.
Looking back, I am grateful for the lesson. It taught me that discernment is just as important as creativity. The question is not only "Can I create this?" but also "Should I?"
And sometimes faithful stewardship means removing something, changing direction, or choosing not to share a piece at all.
Not because we are afraid.
But because we recognize that every gift entrusted to us carries responsibility, and that our work is ultimately done in service to God rather than ourselves (Colossians 3:23-24).
Reflection Question:
Are there areas of your life, work, or creativity where you've focused more on what you're able to do than on how you're stewarding what God has entrusted to you?
Scripture References (NIV)
Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:28 – “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”
Exodus 31:3-5 – “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.”
Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
These reflections are meant to inspire but never replace God’s Word. We encourage you to read the Scriptures for yourself and let Him speak directly to your heart.