STEWARDS OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS

        I would venture to say that many people are scared of responsibility and especially that of another person. Early on in the Genesis account we read about Cain sassing back to God about his brother Abel, declaring - "I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9)

        However, humanity and especially Christians should be stewards of each other. When God created the human being, the man was alone in kind of creatures. God walked with Adam and spoke with him but it was not the same as having a similar partner/friend. In addition, Adam had been given the responsibility of tending to all the animals of creation and naming them - he needed a helper. God created Eve out from Adam to be Adam's help mate (Genesis 2:18-25).

        Fast forward to when Jesus was hanging on The Cross and He spells out a relationship of stewardship between two people right there - 

"When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." (John 19:25-29)

        Then later, in his letters to the churches, Paul writes and admonishes Christians, not only husbands and wives, but the whole body of believers to support, love, encourage and be stewards of each other. In Ephesians 5:21-33,  Paul describes the mutual love and respect a marriage should hold. In Galatians 6:10, Paul challenges the Christian to take on the responsibility of managing, preserving and protecting the relationships of all but especially those in The Kingdom of Christ.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

        With the stewardship of each other so plainly laid out for Christians in Scripture, there is yet one more person believers should not neglect - The Lord, Himself. 

        I am guilty of focusing so much attention on Christian and non-Christian relationships in my life that I miss out on cultivating the most important relationship of all - mine and The Lord's. His direction for life and commands are sound and I desire to follow and obey, but my relationship with God should always come before anybody and anything. 

        Notice I said before anybody and anything. This means Christ is First in my mind, day, speech, decisions and actions. I do not overlook and become thoughtless toward those around me. No. Because I place Christ first, the relationships around me grow stronger, deeper and I become a better steward of them.

        When Christians mature in their faith-walk to the point where they obey God’s Word for their lives and effectively steward the gifts, skills, talents and lives of others in their journey, then God has returned us to where He wanted us all along - Stewards Of Our Relationships.