Today's scripture: Psalm 24:1-2
Our society really likes its stuff, doesn’t it? Grand houses. Fancy cars.
Exotic vacations. And we take a lot time working to get our stuff.
The more, the better.
And we tend to hold on to our stuff very tightly.
We also take pride in what we can do—whether it’s our profession or our vocation.
As we work hard, get more and more, and do more and more, we forget something:
None of our stuff is ours. None of our time is ours. None of our talents are
ours. None of it. Everything we have, everything we are, is God’s. If He
chooses to bless us, then we should be grateful. And we should manage His
stuff—and ourselves—well.
We should take care of what He’s given us. We should share what He’s given us
with others, whether it’s giving money or our time or our talents.
We should be willing to give it all back to Him, should He ask for it. We
should hold onto things very loosely.
Because it’s all His anyway.
Showing posts with label stewardship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stewardship. Show all posts
Friday, August 24, 2018
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Money-wise (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19
A few days ago, we read Paul’s warning that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Today’s verses are a reminder that riches themselves aren’t evil. It’s what we do with them that can be.
If you have monetary wealth, you are blessed—as long as you keep your focus on the Supplier of your wealth. Any riches you have aren’t yours. I know you may like to think otherwise, but everything you have, including your money, is on loan to you from God. He wants you to enjoy what He’s given you, but He also expects you to bless others as you have been blessed.
I read somewhere (where and when I can’t remember) that if Christians in the United States who are in the top ten percent of earners would really tithe to ministry-minded churches, we could wipe out poverty in the U.S. And if they gave twenty percent, it would take care of the world.
I mean, really. How much do you really need? And where is your money going?
Remember, you can’t take it with you, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to stand in front of God one day and show Him my financial portfolio. And I’m positive He wouldn’t care anyway. What I want is to be able to talk about the missionaries my tithing supported or the children who were reached through a reading program that my church invested in.
Certainly, enjoy whatever riches you’ve been blessed with. But make certain you’re pleasing the Father by doing as Paul instructed: “do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
A few days ago, we read Paul’s warning that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Today’s verses are a reminder that riches themselves aren’t evil. It’s what we do with them that can be.
If you have monetary wealth, you are blessed—as long as you keep your focus on the Supplier of your wealth. Any riches you have aren’t yours. I know you may like to think otherwise, but everything you have, including your money, is on loan to you from God. He wants you to enjoy what He’s given you, but He also expects you to bless others as you have been blessed.
I read somewhere (where and when I can’t remember) that if Christians in the United States who are in the top ten percent of earners would really tithe to ministry-minded churches, we could wipe out poverty in the U.S. And if they gave twenty percent, it would take care of the world.
I mean, really. How much do you really need? And where is your money going?
Remember, you can’t take it with you, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to stand in front of God one day and show Him my financial portfolio. And I’m positive He wouldn’t care anyway. What I want is to be able to talk about the missionaries my tithing supported or the children who were reached through a reading program that my church invested in.
Certainly, enjoy whatever riches you’ve been blessed with. But make certain you’re pleasing the Father by doing as Paul instructed: “do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
Friday, February 26, 2016
Reconciled ... (Colossians 1:15-20)
Today's scripture: Colossians 1:15-20
The God of the Bible, the one True God is creator of all things. He is the owner of all things.
Nothing we have, nothing we are is of ourselves. Our houses. Our cars. Our clothes. Our "stuff." Our relationships. None of them belong to us. No, they are gifts to us from our loving Father. Because none of what we have is ours, we must carefully steward what He's placed in our care.
More than the "stuff" we've been given, however, is the most important gift: reconciliation. We are born into sin, and without our being reconciled to God, we are forever separated from Him. But God loves us so much that He offered His own Son, an actual part of Himself, to bridge the gap between Him and us (John 3:16). And it was His "good pleasure" to do so.
Through the shed blood of Christ, we are reconciled with God. We can live in peace knowing that He, the Creator of all things, is in control.
And we can look forward, with confidence, to the day when we meet Him face-to-face.
Amen!
The God of the Bible, the one True God is creator of all things. He is the owner of all things.
Nothing we have, nothing we are is of ourselves. Our houses. Our cars. Our clothes. Our "stuff." Our relationships. None of them belong to us. No, they are gifts to us from our loving Father. Because none of what we have is ours, we must carefully steward what He's placed in our care.
More than the "stuff" we've been given, however, is the most important gift: reconciliation. We are born into sin, and without our being reconciled to God, we are forever separated from Him. But God loves us so much that He offered His own Son, an actual part of Himself, to bridge the gap between Him and us (John 3:16). And it was His "good pleasure" to do so.
Through the shed blood of Christ, we are reconciled with God. We can live in peace knowing that He, the Creator of all things, is in control.
And we can look forward, with confidence, to the day when we meet Him face-to-face.
Amen!
Monday, February 01, 2016
Oh, Rubbish! (Philippians 3:7-11)
Today’s scripture: Philippians 3:7-11
How often do we put our trust in things? Or circumstances? Or people? How often do we think, if I only had this job? Or if I were married to so and so? Or if I lived there?
Then life would be perfect.
But that’s a lie. Things are temporary. Circumstances come and go. What we think is so important today means nothing tomorrow. Nothing has real meaning in this world. Nothing except our faith, that is. What the world sees as “gain” is “rubbish.” It’s trash. It belongs in a landfill.
When I speak, I often use this illustration: I hold out both hands facing up, and say, "It's all Yours, Lord." Then, I close one fist and say, "Well, except for ..." I complete the illustration by opening that fist again and saying, "We have to hold everything loosely and trust God to fulfill His purpose."
God has blessed us with so many things, but they're just things. So we can and should hold things loosely. We should gladly give up everything for Lord and Savior. We should be willing to lose what the world so highly cherishes, being assured that, if we do, we will attain what lasts: resurrection from the dead. Eternity with Christ.
Nothing else matters.
How often do we put our trust in things? Or circumstances? Or people? How often do we think, if I only had this job? Or if I were married to so and so? Or if I lived there?
Then life would be perfect.
But that’s a lie. Things are temporary. Circumstances come and go. What we think is so important today means nothing tomorrow. Nothing has real meaning in this world. Nothing except our faith, that is. What the world sees as “gain” is “rubbish.” It’s trash. It belongs in a landfill.
When I speak, I often use this illustration: I hold out both hands facing up, and say, "It's all Yours, Lord." Then, I close one fist and say, "Well, except for ..." I complete the illustration by opening that fist again and saying, "We have to hold everything loosely and trust God to fulfill His purpose."
God has blessed us with so many things, but they're just things. So we can and should hold things loosely. We should gladly give up everything for Lord and Savior. We should be willing to lose what the world so highly cherishes, being assured that, if we do, we will attain what lasts: resurrection from the dead. Eternity with Christ.
Nothing else matters.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Sow Bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)
Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Most of us who live in the United States have been abundantly, overwhelmingly blessed. We own homes and cars and “stuff.” We never have to worry about where our next meal will come from. We have medical care. Plenty of clothes. Computers. Smart phones.
Abundantly blessed.
And we who follow Christ are even more abundantly blessed. We have been given grace—unmerited favor. We have been given mercy. Protection. Provision … Peace. We are loved unconditionally by our Creator God.
He gives us strength to accomplish His purpose for our lives. He comforts us through difficult times. He is ever-present with us.
What do we give in return? Do we use our time wisely, studying His word and spending time in prayer? Serving others? Helping the “least of these”?
Do we joyfully use the talents with which He’s blessed us? Praising Him? Giving Him glory?
Do we cheerfully give a portion of our treasures … that are really His treasures?
Everything we have, everything we are, is His. We are mere stewards. As the psalmist wrote, “The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it” (24:1). We have been given so much, so we much we must "sow bountifully," doing whatever we can to serve God and others, to further His kingdom, and to glorify God.
Most of us who live in the United States have been abundantly, overwhelmingly blessed. We own homes and cars and “stuff.” We never have to worry about where our next meal will come from. We have medical care. Plenty of clothes. Computers. Smart phones.
Abundantly blessed.
And we who follow Christ are even more abundantly blessed. We have been given grace—unmerited favor. We have been given mercy. Protection. Provision … Peace. We are loved unconditionally by our Creator God.
He gives us strength to accomplish His purpose for our lives. He comforts us through difficult times. He is ever-present with us.
What do we give in return? Do we use our time wisely, studying His word and spending time in prayer? Serving others? Helping the “least of these”?
Do we joyfully use the talents with which He’s blessed us? Praising Him? Giving Him glory?
Do we cheerfully give a portion of our treasures … that are really His treasures?
Everything we have, everything we are, is His. We are mere stewards. As the psalmist wrote, “The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it” (24:1). We have been given so much, so we much we must "sow bountifully," doing whatever we can to serve God and others, to further His kingdom, and to glorify God.
Friday, January 23, 2015
A Steward's Heart (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Followers of Christ should have both servants’ hearts and stewardship mentality.
Christ Himself illustrated a servant’s heart through the well known story of His washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:5-14). He told them—and He tells us—“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Paul wrote, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
It’s not necessarily our natural inclination to be so selfless. We tend to think about what we want, what we need, what will fulfill our desires. But if our Savior was willing to take on flesh to provide for our salvation, can we do anything less than humble ourselves to serve others. In the same letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (vv. 5-8).
We’re also to have a stewardship mentality. And, in reality, this should be easier for us than having a servant’s heart. Why, you ask? Because nothing we have, nothing we are, is ours. Nothing.
The Bible tells us that God is the owner of everything. Psalm 24:1 says that “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” In other words, there is nothing on this earth, including us and our “stuff” that isn’t the Lord’s. It’s all His.
And if this is true—and it is—we’re merely managers or stewards of God’s stuff. Think of it this way: You’re an employee for someone. How do you treat the property, equipment, and materials of that employee? Do you break things? Overspend the budget? Disregard the rules and regulations? Or do you take care of the equipment you’ve been given? Stay within budget? Honor the rules and regulations?
I hope it’s the latter.
We’re blessed with so much, and we need to be good stewards of what God has given us.
And we need to treat others with servants’ hearts.
It’s the least we can do.
Followers of Christ should have both servants’ hearts and stewardship mentality.
Christ Himself illustrated a servant’s heart through the well known story of His washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:5-14). He told them—and He tells us—“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Paul wrote, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
It’s not necessarily our natural inclination to be so selfless. We tend to think about what we want, what we need, what will fulfill our desires. But if our Savior was willing to take on flesh to provide for our salvation, can we do anything less than humble ourselves to serve others. In the same letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (vv. 5-8).
We’re also to have a stewardship mentality. And, in reality, this should be easier for us than having a servant’s heart. Why, you ask? Because nothing we have, nothing we are, is ours. Nothing.
The Bible tells us that God is the owner of everything. Psalm 24:1 says that “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” In other words, there is nothing on this earth, including us and our “stuff” that isn’t the Lord’s. It’s all His.
And if this is true—and it is—we’re merely managers or stewards of God’s stuff. Think of it this way: You’re an employee for someone. How do you treat the property, equipment, and materials of that employee? Do you break things? Overspend the budget? Disregard the rules and regulations? Or do you take care of the equipment you’ve been given? Stay within budget? Honor the rules and regulations?
I hope it’s the latter.
We’re blessed with so much, and we need to be good stewards of what God has given us.
And we need to treat others with servants’ hearts.
It’s the least we can do.
Monday, March 17, 2014
It's All His (Psalm 24:1-2)
Today's scripture: Psalm 24:1-2
Our society really likes its stuff, doesn’t it? Grand houses. Fancy cars. Exotic vacations. And we take a lot time working to get our stuff.
The more, the better.
And we tend to hold on to our stuff very tightly.
We also take pride in what we can do—whether it’s our profession or our vocation.
As we work hard, get more and more, and do more and more, we forget something: None of our stuff is ours. None of our time is ours. None of our talents are ours. None of it. Everything we have, everything we are, is God’s. If He chooses to bless us, then we should be grateful. And we should manage His stuff—and ourselves—well.
We should take care of what He’s given us. We should share what He’s given us with others, whether it’s giving money or our time or our talents.
We should be willing to give it all back to Him, should He ask for it. We should hold onto things very loosely.
Because it’s all His anyway.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Our Creator God (Colossians 1:15-20)
Today's scripture: Colossians 1:15-20
The God of the Bible, the one True God is creator of all things. He is the owner of all things.
Nothing we have, nothing we are is of ourselves. Our houses. Our cars. Our clothes. Our "stuff." Our relationships. Our gifts. Our talents. Our money. None of these belongs to us. No, they are gifts to us from our loving Father. Because none of what we have is ours, we must carefully steward what He's placed in our care.
More than the "stuff" we've been given, however, is the most important gift: reconciliation. We are born into sin, and without our being reconciled to God, we are forever separated from Him. But God loves us so much that He offered His own Son, an actual part of Himself, to bridge the gap between Him and us (John 3:16). And it was His "good pleasure" to do so.
Through the shed blood of Christ, we are reconciled with God. We can live in peace knowing that He, the Creator of all things, is in control.
And we can look forward, with confidence, to the day when we meet Him face-to-face.
Amen!
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Cheerful Giving (2 Cor. 9:6-9)
Today’s
scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Most of us who live in the United States have been abundantly, overwhelmingly blessed. We own homes and cars and “stuff.” We never have to worry about where our next meal will come from. We have medical care. Plenty of clothes. Computers. Smart phones.
Abundantly blessed.
And we who follow Christ are even more abundantly blessed. We have been given grace—unmerited favor. We have been given mercy. Protection. Provision … Peace. We are loved unconditionally by our Creator God.
He gives us strength to accomplish His purpose for our lives. He comforts us through difficult times. He is ever-present with us.
What do we give in return? Do we use our time wisely, studying His word and spending time in prayer? Serving others? Helping the “least of these”?
Do we joyfully use the talents with which He’s blessed us? Praising Him? Giving Him glory?
Do we cheerfully give a portion of our treasures … that are really His treasures?
Everything we have, everything we are, is His. We are mere stewards. As the psalmist wrote, “The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it” (24:1). We have “sown bountifully,” so we must give bountifully, doing whatever we can to serve God and others, to further His kingdom, and to glorify God.
Most of us who live in the United States have been abundantly, overwhelmingly blessed. We own homes and cars and “stuff.” We never have to worry about where our next meal will come from. We have medical care. Plenty of clothes. Computers. Smart phones.
Abundantly blessed.
And we who follow Christ are even more abundantly blessed. We have been given grace—unmerited favor. We have been given mercy. Protection. Provision … Peace. We are loved unconditionally by our Creator God.
He gives us strength to accomplish His purpose for our lives. He comforts us through difficult times. He is ever-present with us.
What do we give in return? Do we use our time wisely, studying His word and spending time in prayer? Serving others? Helping the “least of these”?
Do we joyfully use the talents with which He’s blessed us? Praising Him? Giving Him glory?
Do we cheerfully give a portion of our treasures … that are really His treasures?
Everything we have, everything we are, is His. We are mere stewards. As the psalmist wrote, “The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it” (24:1). We have “sown bountifully,” so we must give bountifully, doing whatever we can to serve God and others, to further His kingdom, and to glorify God.
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