YOU ARE A STEWARD

---

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 24:1-10

“The earth is the LORD’S and its fullness, the world and those who dwell on it.”

(Psalm 24:1)

---

We are in a generation that is losing proper understanding of possessions. People place their hearts on possessions and that is why when anything happens to their belongings or properties, their lives will be shattered. I remember the story of a man who was one of those whose house was marked for demolition by the government because a road would pass through that area. When government agents/officials came with their caterpillars to pull down the house, the man refused to leave the house and insisted that he would die in the house. A lack of proper understanding of who owns everything will make a man misbehave.

In Psalm 24 verse 1, the bible says the earth and its fullness, the world and everything inside it belong to God. So, if God owns everything what do we have as humans? We have nothing. The best names that should be given to us are steward, caretaker, manager, custodian, keeper, agent, attendant, waiter, etc. Some of us who are highly placed will never want to be called those names but in the real sense of it, that's what we are. A steward is someone who manages the properties of another to give accounts and get rewards. If this understanding is in all who call themselves landlord, landowners and what have you, then they will not have any reason to glory on anything. All that we have are given to us by God (John 3:27). And as he has given us those things we must have it in mind that we are going to give account to God. All that God gave man can be put under three subheadings: Treasure, Time and Talent.

Treasure is something of great worth or value. It includes jewellery, houses, cars, money, properties, family, children etc. The Bible categorically says in Matthew 6:19-21; Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The question is, where do you keep your treasure? Where your heart is, is where your treasure is because your heart is directly connected to your treasure. Are there things you cherish so much that you can't do without (person or property)? What if it is stolen, destroyed or died? What will you do? God is speaking directly to your heart today. Check where your treasures are. Some of the treasures God expects us to lay in heaven or cherish so much include but are not limited to the following: relationship with God, passion for lost souls, giving to God's work and his people, touching people's lives positively, interceding for people, engaging in God's work, etc. How much of these have you laid in heaven?

Another thing God has given us is Time. Time is like a currency spent in the business world. Everybody is given an equal amount of time. Time can be invested, spent or wasted. It cannot be stored and any time wasted can never be regained. How are you using your time? Two hours in God's house is too much for some people but the same two hours watching worldly movies, at bars, and parties are never enough for them. We shall all give account of how judiciously or otherwise we use our time (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, John 9:4). Talent is also another gift God endowed humanity with. It is a natural ability given to everyone who comes into the world. It is the information written in our genes which makes an individual unique from the other person. If you have not discovered your talents, you are a minus to your generation. As Christians, our talents are sanctified and they become spiritual gifts. There is an urgent need to discover your talents/gifts and use them for God's glory so that you will not be guilty of coming into this world.

JAMES ALADE

---

To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.

---

Prayer Points:

1. May nothing in this world take the place of God in my life in Jesus’ name.

2. Help me Lord to put things of life in their proper place in Jesus’ name.

3. May I not be guilty of coming into this world.

4. I shall die empty in Jesus’ name.