Steward or king?

Yesterday as we looked at the macro view of stewardship, I referenced The Lord of the Rings as an example of being a steward versus being a king. Denethor is the latest in a long line of stewards for the city of Gondor. He continues caring for and ruling the city in the long absence of her king. Unfortunately, Denethor has mistaken the absence of the king for the king no longer existing or ever returning. He takes to himself the attitude of a king and it impacts his life in ways unimaginable. He had lost his hope in and preparation for the return of the king. In fact, when he hears of the king, he is unwilling to acknowledge the coming king.

And there are many today who deny by their actions (maybe not their words, but their actions reveal their hearts) the coming (soon) of the King. We live as if these days are all there is, when eternity is staring us in the face. Ruling their life as they desire, using the resources of the absent King for themselves, not hearing the echos of the angels who said, “Why do you stand looking into heaven. For the same Jesus (who is King) will come the same way again.

Are you living as a steward or have you made yourself a king? Don’t forget that all the kingdoms of men will be thrown down, while the Kingdom of God lasts forever. (For those who have read or seen LOTR,, the question would be, are you a Denethor or a Farimir? You already know who was blessed when the king took his throne.)

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor