“Let your light shine so that others will see the good you do and praise your father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16
Author and pastor Rick Warren tells us that letting our light shine before others is not merely a suggestion but also a command from God. The Lord expects and requires us to be people of influence because He has equipped us for this task, and we must be obedient and faithful stewards of this gift. More than that, it is through our Spirit-filled influence that those around us become more aware of the reality of the eternal God who has radically influenced our lives. [Source: Generous Giving]
My senior pastor calls this Stewardship of Influence. All of us have a sphere of influence whether it be large or small. We have developed relationships with our own extended families, people inside the church, and people outside the church. Hopefully, we have developed a strong enough relationship with those around us that we can continue to make positive investments.
Here are a few ways in which we can be great stewards of influence:
- Speaking positive, affirming words.
- Mentoring others.
- Loving others through giving away our time, talent, and treasure.
- Supporting the events and causes of others (unless there is a moral issue at stake).
- Sharing the gospel with friends who are unbelievers.
Great post. Those of us who follow Christ ought to set a good example for all. We don't need a soap box to do it, either. Have charity; love people; and look for opportunities to serve.
ReplyDeleteNow is the time for Christians to be good stewards of their influence. Influencing American politics is an issue of good stewardship because Scripture tells believers to “render to Caesar those things that are Caesar’s”. The voting booth is also a place of power. In America, every vote is weighted equally. That equality gives individuals power to change the outcome. By voting in an election, believers exert the power of their influence.
ReplyDeleteI have shifted from being a moderately fundamental Christian to being an agnostic. One of the observations that led to this shift was that the higher echelons of Church management have systematically failed to fight on the right side of the great moral crusades. Individuals have for sure but by and large Church management has not. I observe that Church management in the early stages supported slavery, the pillage of nations and effective genocide, racial segregation and racism, abusive dictatorships and opposed the emancipation of women, environmental concerns and the existence of climate change. I will repeat that there are Christian believers who have fought on the right side but the Church organisation has usually "switched" onto the right side when everyone else had already changed sides. If Church management is worth listening too then it should be guided by God's prophecy and should have been leading in these great challenges. Because it has not I am not sure if this means that Church management is not worth listening or.....?
ReplyDelete