Stewardship versus ownership: two very different perspectives! In this morning’s reading, David confesses his stewardship. He is in awe over what God (the owner) has allowed him to be a steward of, and he is full of joy in managing it for the owner’s purpose! And the purpose? To build the Temple! Notice David’s confession.
…Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone … at your discretion people are made great and given strength … Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! … even this material we have gathered to build a Temple … It all belongs to you! (1 Chronicles 29:11–16, NLT)
Is there a difference between a steward and an owner? Yes! A steward (us) allows the owner’s (God) resources to freely pass through themselves in an accountable, wise, and organized manner. The owner (when it is us) is a hoarder. A hoarder? I am reminded of an owner in the New Testament who found that his barns could not hold all he had hoarded. Notice his dilemma!
and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ (Luke 12:17–19, ESV)
It doesn’t sound like much passes through his hands for the use of the One who truly owns it all!
How about us as believers? What is our perspective? Are we owners or stewards? Are we stewarding God’s kingdom or our own?
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 1 Chronicles 26-29; Psalm 127.