In a world where ownership is often equated with power and security, the concept of stewardship challenges us to see everything we have as belonging to God. This perspective invites us to view our possessions not as personal assets but as tools for fulfilling God's purposes. By embracing this mindset, we are encouraged to use what we have for the greater good, transforming our approach to generosity. This radical shift in thinking can free us from the anxiety of accumulation and open our hearts to a life of giving and sharing, knowing that we are caretakers of God's abundant resources.
1 Chronicles 29:14-16 (NIV): "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.”
Reflection Consider an area of your life where you feel a strong sense of ownership. How might viewing it as God's possession change your approach to using it for His purposes today?
Exercise
Our exercise for this coming week is to begin listening to God about money and generosity. This discernment exercise takes you through a series of questions designed to get you to reflect on your stewardship, and listen to God for direction. This practise will force us to identify and confront the barriers that keep us from generosity. What you may find is - as you attempt to listen to God in prayer, things will come up in your heart. You may feel resistance or angst in your body. That resistance may be psychological or spiritual or practical. This exercise will invite you to lovingly face the barriers that keep you from obedience to Jesus’s commands.
Our reach exercise this week is twofold. It's to enjoy something good in your life and share it with another. You could spend that extra money you have on taking someone out to dinner who’s going through a rough time or open that bottle of wine you’ve been saving with a good friend or take a kid from your community who doesn’t have a healthy family situation out for ice cream. We’re trying to learn to both deeply enjoy our life as a gift from God and to share our blessings with others.
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