Stewardship Begins With Us
Today’s Verse:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.
Yesterday, I had “one of those days.” The aches and pains of cancer treatment overwhelmed me. I spent most of the day listening to the radio: news, sports talk, and country on New York’s Country (an HD substation at 94.7 FM). This morning, I’m back to somewhat normal. Not everything hurts, and the decaffeinated green tea I drink tastes better than it did yesterday.
My health challenge on Tuesday got me thinking about not just my health but others, as well. What does God say to us about these bodies He’s given us?
Lutherans affirm that our salvation comes through grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not our own works. Yet, God calls us to steward all that He has given us—including our bodies. Our health is a gift, enabling us to serve God and love our neighbors with strength and endurance. Yes, even when we are sick, our bodies can strive for goodness.
Caring for our bodies is not about vanity or legalism but honoring the One who created us. When we nourish ourselves with wholesome foods, engage in movement, and rest as needed, we recognize that we are not our own—we belong to Christ. He has redeemed us, body and soul, for His purposes.
Of course, our earthly bodies are frail and subject to illness, and no amount of effort can prevent the effects of sin in this fallen world. Yet even in weakness, God sustains us. Whether in times of health or sickness, we trust in Him, knowing that our ultimate healing is in Christ, who will one day give us glorified bodies in the resurrection.
Today, let us seek to care for our health as an act of gratitude, using our strength to love and serve in Jesus' name. I’ll do my best without whining that I’m sick.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord, thank You for the gift of my body. Please help me to be a good steward of my health, not for my glory but for Yours. Whether strong or weak, may I always trust in Your sustaining grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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