Entrusted: Your First 35 Days as a Steward

Day 20 of 35 · Week 3: Stewardship of Time and Discipline

Saying No So You Can Say Yes

Moses was trying to do everything himself. From morning until evening, he sat as judge for the whole nation. The people stood around him all day waiting.

His father-in-law, Jethro, watched and gave him a blunt assessment. This is not good. You will wear yourself out. The work is too heavy to carry alone.

Then Jethro gave him a plan. Teach the people God's ways. Choose capable, trustworthy people to share the load. Bring only the hardest cases to Moses.

Moses listened. And the whole nation was better served.

Stewarding your time includes stewarding your limits. You are not God. You cannot do everything, be everywhere, or say yes to everyone. When you try, something important gets neglected. Often it is your time with God, your family, or your health.

Even Jesus had limits. When crowds pressed in, He often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Saying no is not selfish when it protects what God has asked you to say yes to. Every yes to one thing is a no to something else. Make sure your noes are on purpose.

Ask yourself three questions. What has God clearly given me to do? What can I hand to someone else? What do I need to stop doing?

Pray

Lord, I am not meant to carry everything. Show me what You have given me to do and what I need to release. Give me wisdom to say no when it protects my yes to You. Amen.

Today's Scripture (NIV)

• Exodus 18:13-23
• Luke 5:15-16