The Stewardship of Power

      If leaders must given an account, then we are stewards.  We are responsible to a higher authority for the way we use power.  In an important sense, power in like money.  God owns everything because He created it.  When we give to God, we give what is already His (Psalm 50:9-12).  We do not own His resources, but invest them for His glory and the benefit of others.  We want to hear the commendation, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23).  Perhaps if we treated power the way we are taught to treat our money, we might be protected from its temptations.
     Concerning money, Paul said he had learned to be content in both plenty and want (Philippians 4:12).  It was the love of money that was the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:10).  Paul sought his satisfaction and contentment in his personal walk with God and money was only a tool to honor Christ.
     Power is also a tool.  When we have it, we must use it for the glory of God.  When we don't have it, we can still be content.  What is truly important to us is Christ.  When money and power become ends in themselves, the trouble begins.  Let me seek first the Kingdom of God and employ any resources of power or wealth to that end.