I have been enjoying rereading an old book by Jake Barnett, Wealth and Wisdom (1987). It is thick reading but it is speaking differently to me as a Steward. The issue is ownership and the Steward. The Bible is very clear about our divine mandate of dominion which is spelled out in ownership of material things. True, our ownership is, in reality, stewardship as God's image-bearer so that in relationship to God, we are stewards. But in relationship to man, individuals are owners of property with God's blessing. The Ten Commandments implies that in "thou shalt not steal" and "thou shalt not covet". And the Scriptures never demean ownership as less than stewardship but gives many principles on how ownership is intended to serve the community. One is not preferred over the other.
Hence, the world of the steward incorporates both aspects because both carry privilege and responsibility. Although I have given all that I own to the Lord for His use, I am not passive in the care and responsibility of my estate. In fact, there is a greater respect for it because I want it fit for the Master's use.
The best way I have found to describe my life as a Steward/owner is to use the metaphor of seed. 2 Cor. 9:6-11 are fast becoming my life verses. Verse 10 speaks of God supplying seed to the sower and bread to the eater implying that we give some seed away into sowing...and keep some for our bread. At the Blessing House, everything I have is used for sowing into the lives of whom-ever God brings. In that, I have plenty for myself, but God can require whatever I have for His use. In the new Blessing House everything will eventually be given over to my church to operate as a living legacy of my sons and I.
I am very conscious of this....but am not always in tune with it. When I experience that freedom of giving it all, there is great joy and satisfaction. However, I know when I have moved back into ownership because of a stinky attitude change usually brought on by over-extending myself.
The verse states that He gives seed to the sower...and multiplies the seed sown. Because of this passage, I am confident that when I have sown everything into the kingdom, there will be others who will want to join in the adventure of expanding Life through the Blessing House. More seed will come to maintain and extend the ministry of creating spaces for God to work.
I have just come through a rough patch of ups and downs in this lifestyle of stewardship because I began doubting that others will join. But, when it gets right down to it, I do not want to miss the opportunity of watching God work wonders whether others join or not.
There are a limited number of opportunities in life to experience something amazing. The disciples never did walk on water like Peter who took a chance and got out of the boat. I simply to do not want to miss the joy of living on the promises given to the Steward.
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