As I sit on the edge of 2011 with the reports of global crisis in weather patterns, 92 countries on the verge of war, financial collapse and uncertainty, warnings about the heavens....I am challenged to celebrate what is right in the world. But, that is what a Steward can do because his Reality is the greater truth that God is still in control and has amazing plans for this world. The Steward can live without fear of loss, because she owns nothing and has placed all that has come to her back into the hands of the Master who is trustworthy.
My friend, Karol E. wrote to me, "Something else for a future musing - because we all will die in the not too distant future, and because there is an estate tax right now, most of what we have will either go to God or the government. Seems like an easy choice."
She is referring to the fact that all that I physically own is going to be poured into the new Blessing House and then given to Waterbrooke Church to continue the ministry when I get too old and cranky - or die...whichever comes first. This couldn't happen except God has taught me how trustworthy He is with all of my life.
A.W Tozer once wrote:
If you are really concerned about spiritual improvement - the gaining of new power, new life, new joy and new personal revival within your heart, you will do well to make certain vows and proceed to keep them. The second of the five vows is NEVER OWN ANYTHING. He continues, "I do not mean by this that you cannot have things. I mean that you ought to get delivered from this sense of possessing them. This sense of possessing is what hinders us. All babies are born with their fists clenched, and it seems to mean, "This is mine!" This is very injurious to the spirit because it brings up anger. If you can get rid of it so that you have no feeling of possessing anything, there will come a great sense of freedom and liberty into your life.
I remember once saving my pennies to purchase a $30 peanut jar from the 1950s. It was my prized possession until it slipped from my hands and shattered in a million splinters as it hit the pavement. I sat on the stoop and wept for a solid hour as though all my dreams had been in that jar. When I finished sweeping up the pieces I made a vow...."I will never ever cry over broken things again!" And to this day, I have not. I have a lot of beautiful things in my home and some have broken when others, besides myself, have held them. With sad eyes they tell me and hold it out with sorrowful words...especially children. And I can receive that broken article without a hint of being upset. It surprises me, even. And tells me that God has done a great work in me and has made it possible for the Blessing House to run without worry for the things in it. It is wonderful to watch the reaction of those stand before me holy and without blame.
Freedom from the ownership of things is the first step of a steward's training. Slowly, it dawns in the life of the Steward that relationships, family, dreams, projects, finances, calendars....all , all, all do not belong to the Royal Steward. Everything exists for the glory of the Master thus bringing joy and freedom from the " pressures of possessing" Every once in a while I will give something away that I take great pleasure in - just to remind myself that it is a joy to give rather than keep.
I must say, it is easier to be released from things, than anything else. It begins though with the physical things because that is what our enemy holds out as the answer to freedom and joy. Chosing to return all that you physically own back into the King's hands - starting with the tithe of money- is a huge step into freedom.
Well said.
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