Stewardship

Paul's epistle to the church at Corinth (the one we refer to as 1 Corinthians ... even though it wasn't his first epistle to Corinth) addresses several problems in that church. The first and foremost problem is division in the church. Paul takes 4 chapters to tackle that problem. One of his points was this:

What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Cor 4:7)

Think about that for a moment. Think about that in the comfort of your home. Think about that in your relative wealth. Think about that while you enjoy your family and friends. Think about that in terms of the skills and talents you possess. Some of you have a lot more than others. Some have more comfort or more talent, more skill or more friends. Some have outstanding family while others do not. Some have good jobs and good things. What do you have that you did not receive?

Those of us with more ... more anything ... ought to feel that poke more intensely. "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" We feel it because we do often boast as if we didn't receive it. We feel it because we are sometimes proud of what we've earned, failing to recognize that we've received it. We feel it because sometimes we are possessive of what we've received as if it is our right, and God help the person that tries to take it away. We feel it because sometimes we worry about what we've received because we forget that we received it.

How would that change your thinking if you had the constant attitude that you are a steward rather than an owner? How would that alter your perceptions if you understood you were just watching God's stuff for Him for awhile? How would it make you feel if you had always in your mind the realization that your gifts and your talents and your skills and your possessions and your friends and family and all were gifts, not rewards? Not earned. Not obtained by your diligent hard work. Gifted by God. For a time. Would that make it easier to give to the needs of others (1 John 3:17)? Would that make you more willing to take a loss for Christ's sake (1 Cor 6:7)? Would it make you any more grateful to have what you have? Here's a thought. How would that make you feel about the things in your life that you don't like very much? Because God has given you those, too.