A friend once loaned his light-duty pick-up truck to a fellow church member who was moving. When the truck was returned, something was not quite right. It seems the light-duty truck had been put to heavy-duty use and it was never the same after that weekend.
Was the man angry and upset? Sure, for a time he was – after all, the borrower didn’t own the truck and yet he abused it. Looking back over time, that incident now serves this friend as a reminder that we really do not own all that we use in this life. The Bible makes it clear that ownership of all things belongs only to God:
“The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof…” Psalm 24:1
“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:8
“Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.” Job 41:11
So, the trucks, cars, houses, tools – just everything – is entrusted to us by God but we do not own any of it. Randy Alcorn, in The Treasure Principle, says it this way, “God owns everything, I’m his money manager.”
Our management strategy must be one that brings Him a great return on His investment. Taking good care of His assets is certainly part of our management responsibility.
Like the two sides of a coin, God’s ownership and our management are inseparable. The challenge is to remember who the owner really is, and to make wise management decisions to bring Him a good return. Or as Jesus put it to “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
What does it mean to be a good manager of God’s assets? First, God expects us to care for those who are dependent upon us. Read 1 Timothy 5 and you will see Paul’s explanation that when it comes to caring for widows – and by extension, all dependent family members – we are to do it without exception! In fact, if we do not care for their needs, according to Paul, we “have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
A second thought is shown in the generosity of God. “For God so loved the world, that He gave…” John 3:16. It’s been said that we are never more like our Heavenly Father than when we give.
A generous heart is evidence of understanding God is the owner and we are His money managers.
Let us know if you would like to discuss managing God’s assets or if we can be of any help in your stewardship walk. Contact Jeff Coon at JCoon@fameworld.org.
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