I was thinking about the mid-70’s School House Rock cartoon that I used to watch when I was a kid on Saturday mornings. Between Super friends, Magilla Gorilla, and the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Show, the ABC network aired these series of mini-musical cartoons that helped kids with their grammar, math, history, and spelling. One cartoon talked about nouns, and it was in this cartoon that I fully grasped the concept of a noun being a person, place, or thing. Over the years I have encountered, interacted with, and enjoyed many nouns in my life; some nouns I have enjoyed more than others. As I get older, I am realizing that I need to be a better steward of all the nouns that God has blessed me with in my life; for there are many. I am sure for you as well. All of our nouns need special care and consideration.
The good Lord has blessed us with many nouns. The more that we acknowledge God and the many nouns that he has given to us, the better stewards of those nouns we will be.
Solomon said it this way, “Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage (portion). 19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.” – Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
In a nutshell, this passage speaks to how we as men (and ladies) need to be keeping busy by working and enjoying the fruits of our labors; this is God’s gift to us. Don’t believe me, just ask a man who can’t work.
I keep myself pretty busy during the day. In the summer I find myself catching up on projects around my house or the houses of others who are in need of some assistance. These side hustles are part of how I make ends meet here in the Midwest. I enjoy being a blessing to others in helping them with their house projects. I enjoy being a good steward of those people who have entrusted me with their home improvement projects. For me, this is the gift of God; to be a good steward of these God given tasks.
The God-Given Task: “What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. 14 I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. 15 That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past (pursued).” – Ecclesiastes 3:9-15
We all have God-given tasks and we all need to be good stewards of them. Our nouns are those lives; those many people, places, and things that we are blessed with. I was thinking about the people in my life; my main nouns, that God has blessed me with. My beautiful wife of 36 years, our three adult kids, their spouses, and their children, our grandchildren. We also have many extended family and friends who have been part of our lives over the years. While some of these nouns have proven to be more pleasant than others; all our nouns are a blessing from the Lord in some manner.
I was also thinking about the places that God has blessed me with. My home, my church, my school, and such. Debi and I just returned from a vacation in Spain and Italy. There are some very nice places to visit in these countries. The people there are as beautifully cultured and imperfect as we are here in the states. It’s as if the Lord created all of us in His image, and we must do our best to reflect His image as we move through this life.
Then I was thinking about the things that God has blessed me with. Our vehicles, our rental properties, and the many things in our home that make it special. The furniture, appliances and other commodities that make our life more comfortable in these last days. In the summer, I am thankful for a good working AC unit; in the winter, a warm heater. When I take a shower, I am thankful for a water heater. I think you get the drift. All of these nouns need to be stewarded well. Taking care of our nouns is part of our way of showing the Lord that we are very appreciative of His many blessings; so in response, we care for them well.
The only nouns that we can take with us when we leave this world are other people. They, like us, must choose the Lord as we have chosen (if you have chosen). We are created with ‘eternity in our hearts,’ so we are going to last forever in one of two places; heaven or hell. It is my hope that as you will steward your nouns well, that you keep in mind that all our nouns in this life are temporary; only people who come to faith in Christ will last forever. We all must give an account to God and show how well we stewarded the nouns that He blessed us with. I encourage you to be a good steward of all your nouns; this is our God-given task and a gift from God.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, now residing in Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 36-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Lead Pastor (25+ years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 