Stewardship Of LeisureSample

Good Stewards Of Leisure

Leisure time is what we have when we’ve finished working and recuperating from work. It is our most valuable time because we can use it to improve ourselves. How we use our free time shows our priorities 

We are God’s stewards. Hence, our leisure time should also come under the Lordship of Christ. We are His stewards and we will also have to give an account of our leisure time, our recreational activities and our vacations - where and how much of our time, efforts and money we spend on them. We must always ask: is this God-honoring, how does it affect my Christian witness, is it good for me, does it expand my mind, is it wholesome, does it improve me physically, mentally and spiritually to serve the Lord? 

When in doubt about what is right or wrong, we must apply the guidelines of Philippians 4:8 “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things re lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” 

Here are some questions that you can ask of the leisure activities in order to check if you are good stewards of it.

1. Why do you want to do it? What purpose will it serve? Will it build you or others up in Christ? (1 Cor. 10:23) Our leisure must be a virtuous activity – we must always guard against sin.

2. Will it be a help or a hindrance in your walk with God? (Heb. 12:1-3) Would it cause others to stumble? (Rom. 14) Does it get you addicted and cause you to lose control?(1 Cor. 6:12). All that we do should be motivated by a desire to grow nearer to Christ.

3. Is it morally positive, neutral or negative? Are you using it as a covering for your own sin? (1Pet. 2:16) Does it violate your conscience (Rom. 14:23) Our leisure must refresh us mentally, physically, and spiritually.

4. Would you be happy to do this if Jesus was with you? (1 John 2:5-6). Will it glorify God? (1 Cor. 10:31) Our leisure must be to the glory of God

God desires us to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil (Rom. 16:19), so being a good steward of our leisure time will be pursuing what will help increase in our understanding and practice of what is good and refrain from things that would remove our innocence of what is evil. 

The idea of “innocence” here is being knowledgeable or personally acquainted with what is evil. In other words, a wise person knows the characteristics of cleanliness and does not have to put his head in the trash can to know that it stinks and that it will get him dirty as well.

God expects us to be a good steward of what He has given to us. The apostle Peter wrote that we will “give an account” to God for the way we use our lives and what we accomplish (1 Peter 4:3-6). What will we be able to tell God in that account? Will we have to tell Him of hours wasted in mindless and destructive entertainment, or will we be able to show character development, spiritual growth and time spent in service to Him and our fellow men?

How sad it would be to have God say, “That’s all you accomplished with the years of life I gave you?”

Quote: Our leisure, even our play, is a matter of serious concern. [That is because] there is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan - C S Lewis 

Prayer: Lord help me to be a good steward of the time for leisure that You have given to me. Amen