We Can Do no Less!

The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.
Psalm 24:1-2

In light of the financial crisis in our country and throughout the world, it is a strong reminder of the importance of wise stewardship over all that has been placed in our care. It is a staggering thought that our government has allocated the equivalent of $200,000 per household to address the trouble that our financial institutions have fallen into. We can point fingers all that we want but the truth is, we have spent way beyond what we have. We have not been wise stewards with what we were given. As Christians we have a weighty responsibility over all that has been placed in our care if we really believe that everything belongs to God.

Under the leadership of Joshua, God led the Israelites to the conquest of a portion of land on the face of the earth (Canaan). God, at that point in history chose to redeem the land from the powers of this world that had claimed it for themselves. God chose to give it to Israel, His covenant people, as a place of rest from the oppression of their enemies. It was not because of great power or military prowess that Israel went in and possessed the land, but because of God’s judgment on the inhabitants of the land and mercy on His chosen people. Their “rest” in that land was conditional on their faithfulness in following God’s law in their lives and being wise stewards. They ultimately failed and ended up being carried off into exile, away from the land of “rest” that God had brought them to.

The Psalmist reminds us that everything is the Lord’s. All that we have, even life itself, belongs to Him. The call in our life as followers of Jesus is to serve and honor Him with all that we have been given – money, possessions, relationships, every breath, the ability to enjoy His creation… Our lives are filled with blessing and “rest” when we are faithful in honoring Him with all that He has given. If we fail, we may bring unnecessary strife upon ourselves and forfeit the “rest” that is apportioned out to those who are faithful in honoring God with ALL that He has given.

Take some time in the coming days to evaluate how well you are doing as a steward of all that God has placed in your care. Are your decisions driven by greed or other self-serving motives? Make the choice to honor God in all areas of care that God has given you responsibility for – financially, relationally (family, work, church, neighbors, etc.), time, talents, the earth… This is a part of our worship to Him. We can do no less!