“Let’s get a Frosty!” said Jacob for the second day in a row as he climbed into the car at the elementary school.
“Not today, buddy,” I said.
“But why not?” he whined.
“We’ve had our after school treat for this week,” I reminded him, “plus I don’t have any cash.”
“Just use that plastic card,” said Aaron matter-of-factly.
“To use that card, we need to have money in the bank that’s not already being spent to pay our bills. We pay for our house and our car and our gas and electricity, for our food and clothes, but first we give back to God the first part of everything we earn because everything belongs to Him. He’s trusting us to use it wisely.”
From their earliest days, we had conversations with our children about stewardship. We may not have called it that in every conversation, but when they came to know the term, they already knew it applied to everything and everyone, including our own bodies and lives.
“Don’t you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?
The Spirit is in you, and you have received the Spirit from God.
You do not belong to yourselves. Christ has paid the price for you. So use your bodies in a way that honors God.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/1co.6.19-20.NIRV
“Those who have been given a trust must prove that they are faithful.”
1 Corinthians 4:2 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/1co.4.2.NIRV
The apostle Paul with his usually lengthy speeches briefly teaches us much about contentment in his letter to the church at Philippi.
“I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me.
I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need.
I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens.
I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.
I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/php.4.11-13.NIRV
My husband and I both grew up in middle class families who worked hard to make ends meet and provide vacations and further education for us and our siblings. They instilled in us work ethic by their example and taught us the importance of tithing and stewardship. When my husband completed his postgraduate education, we were in much the same situation with our education loan payment requirements, but at a point, our income gradually began to exceed our expenses.
The change happened gradually so it was not like a windfall but rather a loosening of the reigns that had previously driven our tight budget. We began to relax a little and enjoy some of life’s luxuries. My mother’s advice was well timed and perfectly suited to our situation. Take care not to grow accustomed to extravagance. You never know what the future holds but you also don’t know what God will call your children to. In order to be who God created them to be in this world, they will need to live within the means He provides. If they grow accustomed to the lifestyle you can provide, they may struggle to follow the Lord’s lead.
When King David planned to build a temple to honor God, a place of rest for the ark of the covenant, God made it clear that his son, Solomon, would be the one to undertake and complete the project. David was neither disgruntled nor dissuaded. He entrusted his plans to his young son and the elders and he asked to people to contribute to the project as God led. Their response was immediate and overwhelming. David’s response?
“David praised the Lord in front of the whole community.
He said, “Lord, we give you praise. You are the God of our father Israel. We give you praise for ever and ever.
Lord, you are great and powerful. Glory, majesty and beauty belong to you. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you.
Lord, the kingdom belongs to you. You are honored as the one who rules over all.
Wealth and honor come from you. You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power. You can give honor and strength to everyone.
Our God, we give you thanks. We praise your glorious name.
But who am I? And who are my people? Without your help we wouldn’t be able to give this much.
Everything comes from you. We’ve given back to you only what comes from you.”
1 Chronicles 29:10-14 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/1ch.29.10-14.NIRV
When we truly understand that it all belongs to God-
“The earth belongs to the Lord. And so does everything in it.
The world belongs to him. And so do all those who live in it.”
Psalm 24:1 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/psa.24.1.NIRV
our priorities begin to shift. Again, it’s gradual, but when we realize the great wealth with which we’ve been entrusted each day- the hours and minutes at our discretion, the adults and children within our sphere of influence, and the resources at our disposal- we must recognize the call of God on every person He created from the Genesis.
“God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.””
Genesis 1:26-28 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/gen.1.26-28.MSG
We are most like our Creator when we are stewarding well the trust we have been given.
“You are my God, and I will praise you.
You are my God, and I will honor you.
Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good.
His faithful love continues forever.”
Psalm 118:28-29 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/psa.118.28-29.NIRV
Thank you, Mom, and Happy Mother’s Day! I love you!💕
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