Principal of Stewardship

Caleb Golden                                                                                10/04/2017

Church Music                                 Musical Principal of Stewardship

                Music is one of the greatest connections between man and his soul. As this thought is considered, one should understand the power of music and the control it can have on one’s body. Johann Sebastian Bach states, “Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul.” With these thoughts in mind, the realization of the power of music and the control it can have should convey themselves into the realization that we must guard ourselves against the wrong types of music, and fervently protect the music that is honoring and pleasing unto God. It could even be referred to as having stewardship over music. The question is then raised how can we have steward ship over music. To accomplish this, the understanding of stewardship and how it relates to music is crucial.

        Merriam Webster defines stewardship as “The conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” This exposes the key responsibilities of a steward as how they are to conduct themselves. The Bible shows us this in Luke 12: 37-48. A story is laid out for us about a lord and his three servants. The lord entrusted his servants with different amounts of his possessions to keep while he went on a long journey. With each servant the same opportunities were given, and each responded in his own way. When the lord returned, two of his savants had acted wisely and had invested his money and made a profit. Whereas the other servant acted foolishly and had hid the money fearing his master and afraid of failing. The Question then arises how does all of this apply to music. One of Gods most sacred gifts to man was the gift of song to praise his holy name with. This is one of the greatest gifts that any steward could be entrusted with. As stewards then of God man is entrusted, to safeguard, and protect this gift from Satan and his demons. Satan understands the power he would possess if he had full control over music. Also, he despises anyone who would want to give praise and glory to God. With this driving force of hatred toward God he will stop at nothing to rip from mankind the gift that has been entrusted into God’s children to protect and to safeguard.