Day 4 Focus – Stewardship
I finally realized that I don’t “really own” anything.
Stewardship by definition: (n) the job of supervising or taking care of something, such as an organization or property.
Genesis 2:15 ”The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.“
From the beginning, God created mankind to take care of the earth. A few years ago, we did a study on Stewardship. I had a profound perspective change, when I finally realized that I don’t “really own” anything.
Psalms 24:1 ”The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters
If I have a surrendered heart towards God, that means that all I have belongs to the Lord. My heart, my soul, my life, my all. The house we live in may have my name on the deed, indicating ownership… but my wife and children know it is their home too. They have a key and don’t ever wonder if they can enter into the shelter that has been provided. When I shift from ownership to stewardship, the house is really His. I manage it, others benefit from it.
If my car is not working, I can get a courtesy loaner or rent a vehicle until the primary vehicle is repaired. I get the benefit of having transportation, but I don’t own that loaner vehicle. I agree to the terms and fully understand the responsibility. No matter how great it looks in my driveway, the loaner will go back to the dealership or rental agency. I only get to use the vehicle… it belongs to someone else. Knowing that, I tend to drive differently in someone else’s car.
Lord help me to remember how to properly view time. I see time as a gift. Time is the only thing that we cannot acquire more of. During a fast, I realize how much of the day is dedicated to food preparation and eating. During the fasting period, I can redirect my attention from “food prep” to “heart prep.” The goal is to spend that time with God… the return on that investment will be well worth the effort.
Psalms 90:12 NIV ”Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.“
How can God help you manage the time that you have been given?
Psalms 139:23-24 ”Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.“
