“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Psalm 24:1 NIV
“Life is at its best when you choose to live generously.”
My thoughts today are about “owners and managers.”
Sometime as I walk through the halls of our Preschools, I pause to watch young children at play. I find that observing them is most interesting. I have noticed that most small children can be divided into two groups: those who share and those who won’t. Some children are eager to play with others and have learned that sharing is required, and a few feel the need to control the activity and claim every available possession as “mine!”
That disposition seems to come too naturally for people of any age. The very word separates friends and destroys closeness. Life is at its best when you choose to live generously. “One man gives freely, yet gains even more. Another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” Proverbs 11:24 NIV. People who hoard for themselves and withhold from others seldom see the connection with the worry, unhappiness, and loneliness they feel. How tragic, and needless.
Contentment is best found by realizing that everything that you have is a gift received. Ultimately, you will give an account for how well you manage the things given to you. See Luke 16:1-3. Owning more does not secure your peace and happiness. Owning actually creates some added measure of worry and anxiety. Jesus used parables, “teaching stories,” to underscore that the things you have and enjoy did not originate with you, nor ultimately belong to you. The earth really is the Lord’s, and “everything in it!” You and I are managers, not owners.
Your time is a gift extended to you, which God expects you to use for more than your own pursuit and pleasure. Your talents and abilities were provided to you by God’s hand and grace. Your possessions and resources are provision for your use and for your service to God and others, not yours to own and spend as you will. Jesus said, “To whom much is given, from him much will be required.” Luke 12:48 NKJV.
True joy comes when you release your need to “own,” and embrace your privilege to manage on another’s behalf. Jesus taught, “If you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will commit to you that which is your own?” Luke 16:12 NKJV. As a student entrusted with the opportunity of an excellent education . . as an employee given opportunity to serve others on their behalf . . and as a steward of God’s practical and daily grace, you are qualifying yourself to receive the greater blessings of God, and be shown the gratitude and good will of others.
Life works best when you truly understand that, “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it; the world and all who live in it.” Psalm 24:1 NIV. Not just figuratively, but literally. The apostle Paul reminds every Christ-follower, “A person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is to hold things lightly, love others greatly, and serve God fully.