We sometimes think of possessions as being ours. We are stewards over things but for a short time. Everything is from God and will return to God. I am speaking not just of physical things but also power and authority. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 ---Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Whatever you have, whatever authority or influence you attain to, it is all from God, and it will all return to God. He is all-powerful and so all power is from Him and returns to Him. We need to get a grip on this reality so that we don't get wrapped up in the idea of possessing things. Your house is not yours. Your clothes are not yours. Your children are not yours. It all belongs to God. How should that affect our attitude when we must part with any of these? If we think we own it, we will cling desperately to it and be grieved when it is taken. If we realize it is all God's and returns to God, we can let go, graciously thanking Him for the short time we were blessed to be the stewards of God's things. This acknowledgment of reality will also keep us from the selfish attitude that God owes us something. Romans 11:35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? We have never given to God anything that was not already His. Now, do you still feel as generous about that last big offering you gave? It was already God's. The act of giving at the leading of the Holy Spirit is just a reminder that we are only stewards that should act according to God's direction when He tells us to do something with what is already His.
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