LUKE 12:42
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“And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?’ “
In this verse, the desired goal is an abundant supply. The protocol by which it is enjoyed is being a successful steward; the means by which it is obtained is faithfulness. Let’s be honest…what is it that you and I have that we can really say we own? Is it our car? Is it our house or boat, etc.? You may think because you have the pink slip that it is in fact yours. But is it? Are you sure that you actually own those things?
As Christians we know that we don’t truly own anything, we have come to understand that it is God who owns all things. However, He invites us to manage those things which He has kindly lent to us. From the small dime in our pocket to the beauty of our environment, we are simply stewards and not the sole owners. The word “steward” actually means one who is a manager, an overseer, a person who acts in the best interest of the owner.
When we look back to the Garden of Eden, we see the Lord instructing Adam to be a steward over His creation. Ownership was never in the cards for Adam, but it was in the mind of Satan. The devil couldn’t have cared less about the garden, but he could certainly tell a well-crafted lie. In essence, he told Eve to consider that she could own part of God’s garden and better her life by simply taking a “bite” of it – a little, unauthorized use of the fruit. The sinful nature that we struggle with today is a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience.
When we begin to think that we own all that is within our reach, we become selfish and possessive. Even the wealthiest of Christians don’t really own what they have. It’s not an issue of wealth or poverty, of what we have or don’t have. It’s an issue between the owner (God) and the steward (man).
The Bible says that it’s the Lord who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and not the rancher who bought them with his money and whose land they graze upon. Let’s go even beyond that thought – for it is actually the Lord who owns the very hills and the grass that the cattle are eating, as well as the air that those cows are breathing.
So, the question remains…how can I be selfish with money if it’s God’s money in my pocket in the first place? How can I be possessive of what’s in my driveway when He is the One who put it there? How can I ignore someone who is in need when God gave me the eyes to see the need and the money to help them? Everything you and I have is His, but what am I doing with what He has given to me? If it’s being used for His glory, great, but if I think it’s all mine and I think I’ve earned the right to own it, I am lying to myself and I am the poorest of all men.
Lord, have mercy upon us so that we may seek only to steward over all that You’ve given us, and earnestly seek the Owner of all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
– Pastor Jack