Stewards

by Kelly Knowlden

Stewards were known for being responsible for their master’s affairs while he was gone. This could include his business, his activities and even his household. They functioned as the guardian and supervisor for all aspects of the operation. They were personally held responsible for the outcome of that which they oversaw.

As parents, you are stewards. You are entrusted with the awesome job of raising the next generation. They will pick up most of their cues from you and your lifestyle. Here is where it gets scary. I do not know about you, but I do not want my children to be completely like me and my wife. It would be nice to think that they would only pick up our better attributes, but the truth is that they also observe all our foibles and faults and will probably either - react to them and attempt to come up with some better system of response, or more likely, end up just like me. I do not need them to have my paranoia, my fears, my insecurities. I need help to have them see the world more broadly than my narrow perspectives.

That is where the church body comes in. I need the church to interact with my children through the various means that they provide... Sunday School, summer clubs, youth activities, and the like will put them in situations where they will be supervised by godly people who love children and young people and who will hold them accountable to generally the same standards I have but use their own words and ways of expressing that.

The Christian school also does the same thing. Students who study and learn under influential people each day such as teachers will often pick up various ways of thinking and expressing themselves that reflect what they see in their mentors. My children (all over 21) have been the beneficiaries of both of those opportunities. Church and Christian school teachers have provided them with other role models that were invaluable in my parenting. I have been very thankful to God for that great blessing!