"So God created man in His own image" Genesis 1:27
The Oxford Dictionary defines stewardship as "the job of supervising or taking care of something". God created us in His image and designed us to take good care of everything He has given us. This includes being a better steward of your physical health. As Christians, we are called to love God and love others, but we are also called to look after our physical health so we can do this better.
We want to give you some information on how to be a better steward or caretaker of your physical health. We were all fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14) created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). But because of the fall, we are all fallen beings for whom illness, disease and death are inevitable.
Why is your physical health important?
All of us are unique and we have our own struggles when it comes to our health. Jesus said in John 16:33 that in this world we will have troubles, and your health may be part of those troubles. So even if our bodies are not functioning properly at no fault of our own, it is still our responsibility to do what we can to take care of our physical health, as much as we are able to.
"What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, and that you are not your own? You were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit..." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Paul is talking about sexual purity in this verse, but it's not a stretch to apply the concept to what we should do with our physical bodies as well as what we should not do with it.
He also speaks about serving the Lord with all we have which would include your body. How can we do that if we are bad stewards of our physical health? "I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship." Romans 12:1.
What does the Bible say about being a better steward of your physical health?
"Do not be among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags." Proverbs 23:20-21. This verse talks about gluttony and excessive alcohol use. If we are to be good stewards of our physical health, we need to eat nutritious food, food that actually nourishes our bodies. It is also important to consume these in moderation so that we are not overcome by drowsiness or laziness which will get in the way of glorifying God wholeheartedly - or I should say wholebodily! The verse also suggests staying away from excessive alcohol use as too much alcohol leads to many health risks as well as behavioural problems which is not acceptable to God (Proverbs 20:1).
"For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable in all things, holding promise for the present life and for the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8. This verse speaks about how godliness should be our aim because it is profitable for us in this life and the next. But Paul also mentions that bodily exercise is (still) profitable. Many people live a sedentary lifestyle due to office jobs, easy transportation, etc. Thus, it is our responsibility to try to counteract these challenges to our physical health wherever possible! Exercise regularly so your body can be strong, park further away on purpose, take the stairs, or play tennis with a friend. Walk while you pray, and it will be beneficial in both areas! Whatever you can do to give your body the best chance of doing the things it was created to do.
Choose to be a better steward of your physical health!
We were created for His glory and to serve him. Each believer is part of the body of Christ, and we all serve different purposes within this body, according to what He wants us to do. Choose - right now - one thing that you can do (or stop doing) to be a better steward of your physical health. Now tell someone else so that they can help keep you accountable.
You will not regret doing this for God. Looking after your physical health will be beneficial to your body, but it will spill over into other areas, blessing you in other unexpected ways (like improved moods or meeting new people). You never know! And with God the possibilities are endless!
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