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\u201cThere\u2019s no way we can escape accountability. We do<\/em> make a difference \u2014 one way or the other. We are<\/em> responsible for the impact of our lives. Whatever we do with whatever we have \u2014 money, possessions, talents, even time \u2014 we leave behind us as a legacy for those who follow. And regardless of our own scripting, we can exercise our unique human endowments and choose the kind of stewards we want to be\u201d (Stephen R. Covey).<\/p>\n A STEWARD IS \u201cA PERSON WHO MANAGES ANOTHER\u2019S PROPERTY, FINANCES, OR OTHER AFFAIRS\u201d (AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY).<\/em> In the literal sense, there might not be many of us who are in a position of stewardship, but in a larger sense, every one of us is a steward, and it makes a huge difference to think of ourselves that way. Valuable resources of time, talents, money, and possessions have been entrusted to us. These are meant to be used, not merely for our own gratification, but for the greater good of the world around us. And this being true, the great question of life is whether we\u2019re discharging our duty to manage these resources wisely and well. Acceptable stewardship, the kind that will stand up under final inspection, asks us to accept three important principles.<\/p>\n (1) Trust.<\/em> The resources that are at our disposal have been entrusted to us. Strictly speaking, they don\u2019t belong to us; they\u2019ve simply been put into our hands for a while. We\u2019re being trusted to use these things as they were intended to be used: for the common good.<\/p>\n (2) Responsibility.<\/em> We are responsible for the choices we make. If our stewardship has not been honorable, no excuses will be accepted. Having been given a free will, we\u2019re responsible for the results.<\/p>\n (3) Accountability.<\/em> Whether you believe, as many of us do, that we\u2019ll one day give an account of ourselves to our Creator, at least believe this: ideas and actions have consequences, and no matter what we do, there\u2019ll eventually come a day of reckoning. This is true even regarding our own possessions. \u201cThe surplus wealth we have gained, to some extent at least, belongs to our fellow beings; we are only the temporary custodians of our fortunes, and let us be careful that no just complaint can be made against our stewardship\u201d (Jacob Schiff).<\/p>\n Whatever is ours, there is really no safe middle ground: either we\u2019ll use it unselfishly and sacrificially, or it will own us and destroy us.<\/p>\n \u201cAll you are unable to give possesses you\u201d (Andr\u00e9 Gide).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n