The June Lake Region Conference Stewardship spotlight by Pastor Henoc Paulicin, Stewardship Director for LRC 

The Sacred Call To Holistic Stewardship

When we consider the biblical principle of stewardship, our minds naturally turn to the faithful management of our financial resources. Scripture makes this clear in Malachi 3:10, where God challenges His people: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse…and prove Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven.” This reminds us that returning God’s tithes and offerings is not merely an obligation, but a privileged opportunity to participate in His work and experience His abundant provision.

However, faithful biblical stewardship goes well beyond financial responsibility in giving and managing your money. It encompasses the wise and prayerful management of every resource entrusted to us by God, including our physical health. The apostle Paul presents a profound theological truth in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body.” This passage reveals three foundational truths about health stewardship:

First, our bodies are sacred spaces: temples where the Holy Spirit dwells. Just as the ancient Israelites meticulously cared for the physical tabernacle, we are called to honor God by taking care of our physical beings. Second, we operate under divine ownership; we are not autonomous beings but redeemed people purchased through Christ’s sacrifice. This truth transforms health decisions from personal preferences into spiritual responsibilities. Third, our physical condition directly impacts our ability to glorify God. In other words, when we neglect our health, we limit our capacity to serve Him fully.

Ellen White powerfully connects the idea that stewardship encompasses every aspect of our lives, including our health. This is what she wrote, “The health should be as sacredly guarded as the character” (Healthful Living, p. 29). She further emphasizes that “A diseased body affects the brain. With the mind we serve the Lord…The children of God cannot glorify him with sickly bodies or dwarfed minds” (Healthy Living, p. 54-55). She also emphasizes the importance of health by outlining the eight laws of health: fresh air, sunshine, temperance, rest, exercise, labor, water, and trust in divine power.

Our health has a direct impact on every aspect of our lives. Without it, our ability to work (stewardship of our activities), provide for our families (stewardship of our family relationships), and enjoy meaningful connections (stewardship of our personal relationships) becomes limited. Just as we carefully plan our financial giving, we must honor God by stewarding the temples He has entrusted to us, our bodies. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2).

Practical Steps Toward Health Stewardship:

Faithful stewardship of health requires action. This week, I challenge you to take one intentional step toward better caring for your body. Start by incorporating movement into your daily routine, whether through walking, stretching, or another form of physical activity. Choose to nourish your body with wholesome foods, replacing unhealthy habits with life-giving ones. Prioritize rest, recognizing that sleep and Sabbath are sacred gifts from God. Most importantly, seek the Lord in prayer, asking Him for the discipline and wisdom to make lasting changes.

Here’s my challenge to you today: this week, choose one area of your health to improve. Start small, stay consistent, and trust God to strengthen you throughout the process. I invite you to join me in saying this prayer: “Lord, I thank You for the gift of my body. Help me to steward my health faithfully so that I may serve You with energy and joy. Give me wisdom to make wise choices and the discipline to follow through. May my life bring glory to You in all things. Amen.”