If you've read the gospels you know that Jesus continually explains God as a father, owner, master, and authority figure.  Likewise, we are the son, guest, friend, and steward.  Jesus never labels us as slaves, except for when we are slaves to ourselves, our passions, our sin, and the devil.  

What does this have to do with parenting?

Each morning, my boys and I have what we call 'symposium'.  We throw our groggy selves on the couch and read together.  Clearly, Symposium is my favorite part of each day. I love reading and exploring the Word of God together.  It is in these moments that we ask hard questions, discuss great thoughts, and learn together. It is in this time that our discussion about being a steward under the authority of God came up. We learned that we have been given gifts from God.  That we have the freedom to decide how to use them  and the responsibility to bring a return on God's investment. In short, God has invested in us, and we respond by bringing a return back to God.  To be clear, this is not a salvation issue.  We do not in any way earn our salvation through a return, but rather bring God a return as an offering from what He has given us.  

If you are reading this, then you are most likely a parent.  Your children are a gift of God, but what is the return that He expects back?  We cannot guarantee the salvation of our children, for that is not our job.  Instead God commands us to teach our children the way.  We are not raising robots, slaves, or servants.  As God calls our children to enter into His salvation, we model the life that God has called us into: The life of the steward. Stewards are given freedom to make decisions, lead, and invest; All for the benefit of the One who owns it all.  

As my children assert themselves on the path to becoming men, I try to remember that each day brings them closer to stewardship. I invite their questions, lead them through decision making, and enter into the journey of stewardship together.