Does Ownership have its PRIVILEGES?????
Catchy title to our next installment into our quest for understanding Stewardship. Ownership is all about stewardship in so many ways. Many of us have owned different items in our lives, from a house to maybe a vehicle. And with our ownership we work hard each day trying to get the most out of our ownership. We try to get the most out of our house, or as much mileage out of a vehicle. But, when it comes to our faith and stewardship, where does our ownership stand. Let me give you another analogy. I have been building a fence lately and I've come to the realization that the fence will be strong with a good foundation. Otherwise the fence will look good for awhile and then will start to crumble. Our stewardship, our faith, our ownership is all about building a strong foundation of love and support for the kingdom in which God calls us to bring. Yes we all own a piece of this kingdom, but what are we doing to sustain its strong foundation. Do we realize that with every light turned on ministry happens? Or how about when someone is in need and we reach out to them, ministry happens? Or when a door is opened in this church, ministry happens? Or when we shake hands in worship, or at a meeting, or a mission activity, ministry happens? The ownership of God's ministry happens each and every day. When we wake up and say with one voice that I own a piece of this kingdom and I need to do my part will the foundation on what we're building grow and prosper. Take a few moments after reading this and ask yourself the question, what can I do more? How can I share my talents more with the kingdom? How can I give my time to what God has called me to do? How can my treasure be shared in the world to benefit others in ministry and service? That my friends is the stewardship model of ownership. We must forge ahead as one and continue to build upon the principles of our faith. The love of Christ is the perfect example for us to live. Let us now take the ownership of our faith and stewardship and move it in ways that brings about the opportunities of kingdom.
God Bless
Pastor Jay
or build a gate, or work in the rain, or break bread :)....like Jay said these are "perfect examples" of Gods Love. When we don't have to think about it, when we just do. When we put others before ourselves without a thought of how it fits into our lives or our schedules. When we present ourselves to others that makes them not feel like were "fitting them into our schedules".
ReplyDeleteWhen our first inclination is to say" yes " instead of " no", without a thought of how that will effect our lives but with all of our thoughts of how it will effect theirs. Thats love, thats Gods love and thats how you "build" the Kingdom.
It amazes me how often we are encouraged to strengthen the body with exercise, and how rarely we think to exercise the spirit. Without its work, the spirit atrophies.
ReplyDeleteBoth very good thoughts. I really like the thought so simple of saying yes and doing. Really the first step in accepting this ownership thought of stewardship.Jay
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