We must interpret Bible verses in context and realize it is God’s will we seek, not ours. Stewardship Bible verses or other Bible verses are significant to followers of Jesus because they could guide them to the abundant life that Jesus promised.
Christians are stewards of God’s resources. We become better stewards when we learn to deal God’s way with anxiety, trust, temptation, people, and when we confess our sins to Jesus regularly.
Memorizing Bible verses helps us handle daily life-issues God’s way. That’s why I was thrilled, though astonished, when I discovered in an attic, five stewardship Bible verses dealing with anxiety, trust, temptation, people, and confession.
Shortly after I surrendered my life to Jesus the Messiah in 1985, I had a vision of an attic with five large colored boxes. Each box had a huge bold letter from the word attic. Below each letter was a word beginning with that letter, and a Bible verse. Many mornings as I jogged, this picture became more lucid.
One morning about 5:00 AM while jogging in Brisbane, Australia, the picture of the attic was so vivid I returned to my hotel to try to process what was happening. At the hotel, I transcribed the vision.
As I reflected on this vision, I realized it referred to my daily walk with Jesus. It seemed to be the base for a structured way to have extra time with the Lord. I sensed my attic was a way for me to withdraw regularly to see God’s hand in the moment.
These are five words on five boxes in my attic, each with its stewardship Bible verse:
- Anxiety – Philippians 4:6-7
- Trust – Proverbs 3:5-6
- Temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13
- Inner Focus – 1 Samuel 16: 6-7
- Confession – 1 John 1:9
Anxiety
Two to three times daily I check to see whether events are overtaking me, and I am becoming, or am anxious. Perhaps I am in a stressful meeting, or working to a tight deadline.
When I sense anxiety, I withdraw to a quiet place, often the bathroom, and mull over Philippians 4:6-7. These verses remind me not to be anxious but pray, be thankful to God, give him my concerns, and he will give me a profound peace.
I present my situation to God, ask him to help me accept where I am, what I have, and give me peace to deal with it. The goal is his peace, not a solution to the issue. Recalling these verses several times daily, praying and believing them help me see alternatives. It is difficult to evaluate situations when tensed and anxious.
Trust
This is my great challenge. I try to do things in my own strength instead of leaning on Jesus. That’s why daily as my activities challenge me, I withdraw often to evaluate how I am doing, and recall Proverbs 3:5-6. These stewardship Bible verses tell me to trust in the Lord and lean on him, and he will make my path straight. This does not mean I will get the solution I seek; merely, that when I work to God’s goals, with his help, I do his will, and I get a peace that’s difficult to understand.
Temptation
One of the great assurances in the Bible is this stewardship Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV):
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Daily, I must remember that I can’t blame anyone when I fall. The Devil did not “make me do it.” Faced with temptation, I pray this verse and ask God to help me see and follow his path. I know it is there and I need his strength to override my fleshly desires. Still, sometimes I reject his path.
Inner Focus
When Samuel went to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king of Israel, as Jesse’s boys entered the room, Samuel saw Eliab and from his external appearances thought he must be the one. God told Samuel he did not choose Eliab. God reminded Samuel that God looks on the inside but people look on the outside (1 Samuel 16:6-7).
Often I have withdrawn and prayed this verse of the day, particularly when I interview, counsel, or meet someone. I know external appearances influence my thinking, and so I must seek God’s help regularly to overcome this flaw.
Confession
Happily, at day’s end I review events, go to the attic, and recollect 1 John 1:9. I ask the Lord to show me incidents I need to confess. I confess, repent and ask him to cleanse me. He does, as promised.
Summary
Daily, being conscious of these stewardship Bible verses heighten my awareness for good stewardship in all aspects of life, not only with money.
Frequent withdrawals to my attic to seek God’s guidance to respond to events allow me to live in the moment and increase time with him.
Time in my attic has shown me how to be more alert and responsive to the presence of the Lord in daily activities.