What lessons on stewardship can we learn from Uzziah's actions in this verse? Text of 2 Chronicles 26:10 “He built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He also had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.” Snapshot of Uzziah’s Stewardship • Towers: protection and oversight of resources • Cisterns: foresight in water management • Livestock: diversification of assets • Farmers and vinedressers: investment in people • Love for the soil: personal care for God-given land Principle 1 — Stewardship Requires Planning • Uzziah “built towers” and “dug many cisterns,” practical infrastructure that safeguarded future harvests. • Proverbs 21:5 reminds us, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” • Application: budget, insure, and maintain what God entrusts so it can flourish long-term. Principle 2 — Resource Management Honors the Creator • He managed “much livestock” and fertile fields, treating them as a sacred trust. • Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” • When we allocate time, energy, and money wisely, we acknowledge God’s ownership. Principle 3 — Diversification Protects the Mission • Livestock in plains, crops in hills—different terrains, different yields. • Ecclesiastes 11:2: “Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth.” • Spread gifts, talents, and finances across multiple avenues of service and provision. Principle 4 — Invest in People, Not Just Things • Uzziah employed “farmers and vinedressers,” valuing skilled labor. • 1 Timothy 5:18 affirms, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” • Modern parallel: pay fair wages, train, mentor, and disciple others. Principle 5 — Love for the Work Itself • He “loved the soil,” showing personal engagement. • Genesis 2:15: humanity is placed in the garden “to work it and keep it.” • Authentic stewardship flows from delight in doing God’s will, not mere duty. Principle 6 — Faithfulness in Small Leads to Greater Trust • Uzziah’s detailed care preceded national military success (vv. 11-15). • Luke 16:10: “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much.” • Manage your household, schedule, and paycheck faithfully; larger Kingdom responsibilities often follow. Principle 7 — Beware Pride After Prosperity • Later in the chapter, success breeds presumption, and Uzziah’s pride leads to downfall (vv. 16-21). • 1 Corinthians 4:7: “What do you have that you did not receive?” • Continual humility keeps stewardship God-centered, not self-centered. Putting It Together Stewardship modeled by Uzziah includes purposeful planning, honoring God’s ownership, diversifying resources, investing in people, loving the work, remaining faithful in small matters, and staying humble in success. Practice these patterns, and the resources God places in your hands will multiply for His glory and for the good of others. |
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