Doublespeak is language that deliberately obscures, disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words. We have in recent years seen more of it used, but it’s been around for centuries.

That said, I just want to look at its application to the concept of stewardship. We have been convinced that financial stewardship is just keeping our own affairs in order: getting out of debt, saving for retirement, tithing, and living within our means. The rest is ours. The trouble with that line of reasoning is not the actions – it’s the focus. Therein lies the doublespeak.

Stewardship is keeping someone else’s affairs in order, not our own. The rest is His. God entrusts us with what we have in order to further His kingdom. And we have to find balance between how much and in what ways we use that money for surviving, enjoyment, and how much for our Lord’s purposes. The trouble – or maybe the blessing – is we have the freedom to work that out.

I liken our situation to Denethor’s situation in Return of the King. He’s the Steward of Gondor, running the place until the return of the king. Yet when confronted with the reality of the king’s return he angrily states “The rule of Gondor is mine!” Nothing could be further from the truth. It was never his and it never could be. That’s doublespeak at work. Steward for him turned into “king.”

In more ways than not we are little Denethors. Stewards who believe we are kings and queens.