Stewardship of Love

When we were told in March of 2020 that we were to be locked down, our entire reference to reality changed. Not only were we literally out of touch with our coworkers, we also couldn’t visit our loved ones and couldn’t accompany them if they went to the hospital.

The way we have been dealing with COVID-19 made me think that we were being good stewards of our health and the health of our community. But it only recently occurred to me that stewardship also has to do with the way we see those around us. When we think about stewardship, generally the first thing that comes to mind is money; however, stewardship is far more than what we do with our money. Stewardship encompasses our entire life—everything with which we have been entrusted: our time, our relationships, our talents,

our bodies, our resources, and even our love. Stewardship is a God-given responsibility that deals with accountability. It is a way for us to acknowledge all that God has given us and examine whether we are being faithful to that trust.

There are four principles we must keep in mind. First, God owns everything; second, God entrusts you with what you have; third, you can either increase or diminish what God has entrusted to you; fourth, God can call you into account at any time—it may be today.

Stewardship is not just about money—and here’s a new thought: the stewardship of love might be the greatest of our stewardship responsibilities. Yes, love! When a lawyer asked Jesus which was the great commandment in the law, Jesus responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And then he added “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39, ESV). What was Jesus saying? He was telling that lawyer—and you and me—that stewardship flows out of a heart that is seeking to love God and love others.

We can get bogged down with wondering if our social interaction takes care of that commandment and whether we do it because we feel we have to or because we really mean it. But the love that is communicated and modeled by Jesus is extraordinary. In the first sermon Jesus gave describing the kingdom of God, He made some amazing statements about who and how we are to love: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.… For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?” (Matthew 5:4346, ESV).

Jesus was speaking to an audience that believed they were already part of God’s kingdom because of their birthright and their adherence to the law. I wonder how often we also feel as they did—that we are a remnant that keeps the faith of Jesus and keeps the true day of rest. I wonder to what extent we are like the self-righteous Pharisees, and if the one we love with all our heart is our self.

The starting point of a genuine relationship with God is recognizing how poorly we keep those two great commandments and acknowledging our lack of love for Him and those around us. Jesus taught that the starting point for establishing a true relationship with Him is being “poor in spirit”— recognizing our own failure to love.

Before we can develop this love for others, we must first realize our need to accept His love and allow that love and His presence to produce a change in us. Humbly accepting His free gift of salvation through faith puts us in a position to give extraordinary love to others.

Our world changed in March of 2020, and it may never be the same. But the love of God never changes. Our attitude as stewards of love for our fellow humans should be such that they may see that we have been with Jesus. Let’s steward that love wisely and allow God’s presence to guide everything we do.

_____________________________ Alberto Valenzuela is the associate director of communication and community engagement for the Pacific Union Conference and editor of the Recorder.

Before we can develop this love for others, we must first realize our need to accept His love and allow that love and His presence to produce a change in us.