“By faith, we stop striving in our own energy and tap into eternal energy that gives rest and restores the soul.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today –April 12, 2023
Yours is the mighty power and glory and victory and majesty. Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, TLB
There are commonly held assumptions that we are owners…owners of our finances, owners of our business, owners of our bodies, and owners of our destiny. But believers in Jesus Christ have a higher allegiance to Almighty God, who is the owner of everything. Screwtape, the demon in C.S. Lewis’ creative classic, admonishes the allusion to human ownership as one of hell’s tactics:
“The sense of ownership, in general, is always to be encouraged. The humans are always putting up claims to ownership which sound equally funny in Heaven and in Hell, and we must keep them doing so. Much of the modern resistance to chastity comes from men’s belief that they ‘own’ their bodies—those vast and perilous estates, pulsating with the energy that made the worlds in which they find themselves without their consent and from which they are ejected at the pleasure of Another!… We produce this sense of ownership not only by pride but by confusion. We teach them not to notice the different senses of the possessive pronoun—the finely graded differences that run from ‘my boots’ through ‘my dog,’ ‘my wife,’ my husband,’ and ‘my country’ to ‘my God.’”
Human nature seeks to exert energy to control what’s mine, yet the Scripture clearly states that the Lord is in control and He is the owner of everything and in control of everything. As David states in the verse above…we adore and praise God for providing and for being the ultimate ruler who, at His discretion, makes us great for His service and gives us strength to serve. By faith, we stop striving in our own energy and tap into eternal energy that gives rest and restores the soul.
“All that we have accomplished, you [Lord] have done for us” (Isaiah 26:12).
Consider re-committing all you have to the One who has blessed you with…relationships, health, home, and resources to be used to invest in the well-being of others. Saying out loud how the Lord has given to you all you have is a generous way to give Him glory. Perhaps you pray, “Lord, I praise you for giving me good health so I can do good deeds in your name. And for blessing me with time to invest in those who have a heart for you, beginning with my family and continuing to those new in the faith. As you generously give, so I aspire to live generously.” You will avoid a reckless power trip when you pause to humbly worship your Provider of all things.
Regularly ask the Lord, “What is your heart for what you have entrusted to me?” As you slow down and listen in silence and solitude, the Holy Spirit will show you what to do with His resources that you manage on His behalf. His beautiful vision and Kingdom purposes are powerful motivations as you move forward in God’s will. In addition, be intentional about being in community with your spouse around other Kingdom-minded families. Consider attending the annual Celebration of Generosity to revive and restore your heart around God’s heart. Taking time to hear other stories and learn how to better grow and develop your story brings great joy to Jesus Christ, the owner of your life, family, work, and resources. Trust God as your life landlord!
“You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.” (Psalm 139:3-5, TLB)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise and adore you for giving me opportunities in life and work to serve and enjoy your blessings through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Consider experiencing the online Compass Financial Bible Study
Related Reading
Genesis 22:8; 1 Chronicles 29:2-3; Job 38:41; Psalm 65:9-10
Worship Resource
David Thornton: Up From the Grave He Arose
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