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**Stewarding Your Time and Resources Well**


Akasia, Pretoria. The acacia trees stand sentinel, their branches reaching towards the Pretoria sky, a quiet reminder of the enduring strength of nature. The air, though often thick with the city's bustle, carries a sense of anticipation, a quiet hum of activity. And it got me thinking about Proverbs 21:20, about "choice food and olive oil," and how that ancient wisdom speaks directly to our modern, often uncertain lives.

You see, "choice food and olive oil" aren't just about groceries, are they? They're symbolic. The olive oil, in its richness and versatility, represents the resources God bestows upon us: time, talent, relationships, financial blessings – even the quiet moments of peace and reflection, so often difficult to find in our busy lives. The "wise" don't simply squander these blessings. They don’t “gulp them down” as the proverb puts it. Instead, they store them up, using them strategically, for both present needs and future flourishing.

Think about it. The "gulping" – that's the frantic, unsustainable lifestyle many of us fall into. We chase after fleeting trends – the latest smartphone, the most extravagant holiday – without considering the long-term consequences. We're overwhelmed by the constant demands of work, social media, and the 24/7 news cycle (currently dominated by, amongst other things, the ongoing debates surrounding South Africa's economic recovery, and the complexities of navigating our political landscape). We burn ourselves out, leaving no reserves for when the inevitable uncertainties – metaphorically speaking – hit. We become spiritually depleted, unable to offer our best selves to God or to others.

My own experience reflects this. I was so consumed with the demands of writing my last book, driven by the need to meet deadlines and achieve commercial success, that I neglected my prayer life and my relationships. I was "gulping" my time and energy, sacrificing the “choice food” – the quiet moments of reflection, the nurturing of friendships, the consistent engagement in prayer – for the immediate gratification of a completed manuscript. The result? Burnout, a sense of emptiness, and a renewed appreciation for the slower, more deliberate pace of life.

Theologically, this connects to the concept of *shalom*. It’s not just the absence of conflict, but a holistic flourishing – a harmonious relationship with God, ourselves, others, and creation. To achieve *shalom*, we need wise stewardship. It’s about intentionally cultivating the resources God gives us – investing in relationships that nurture our souls, pursuing spiritual disciplines that deepen our faith, and using our talents to serve others. Think of it as strategic resource management, but on a spiritual level.

Consider the recent societal shifts in South Africa, the complexities of balancing various social and economic factors, and the important conversations surrounding societal progress. These are the modern uncertainties that confront us all, and they serve as a reminder of the need for wise stewardship in every aspect of our lives.

This isn't about asceticism or self-denial. It's about discerning priorities, making intentional choices, and savoring the blessings God gives us. It’s about embracing the quiet moments, recognizing the value of community, and using our gifts to build a legacy of faith and hope – even in the face of life's uncertainties. It’s about living a life that reflects the abundance of God’s grace, not the scarcity of our own resources. So, let's be wise stewards, my friends, not just of olive oil, but of everything God has entrusted to our care. Let’s learn to savor, not gulp, life's precious gifts.


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