THE SPIRIT OF STEWARDSHIP
why do yo think the rich young ruler was told by Jesus that it was very difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven ?Is it that God is against Riches or God does not want us to be Rich or to have properties and money?I personally do not think so. Todays topic is LET US PRAY FOR THE SPIRIT OF STEWARDSHIP: Mathew 19: 16-29 and Mathew 21:1-3.I have discovered that Jesus used to use stories to illustrate something.This story of a rich young ruler is an example of God trying to show us something that is preventing us from entering into the peace and enjoyment of being kingdom citizens.According to the story, when Jesus told the Rich young man to go and sell all that he had and give the proceeds to the poor,the rich young man went home sad because he could not imagine himself doing such a thing.And God ended by saying that it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.But what really catches my attention in this story was when the disciples were discouraged and said that such a thing was not possible with man.and Jesus replied that what was" IMPOSSIBLE WITH MAN WAS POSSIBLE WITH GOD" Do you know that most of us that have been blessed with riches will feel exactly like that man if we were told by God to give away all our riches to the poor.The question is,why are we so attached to these riches?Why is it so difficult for us to let go of it?Ready for the answer.?Because we have what I would call "THE SPIRIT OF OWNERSHIP".We feel that everything that God has blessed us with , belongs to us,we have this feeling that it is our own till death do us part,we have this feeling that it belongs to us and us alone and nobody else should have have a portion of it not to talk of all of it.That spirit ,is what Jesus is Talking about that will prevent us from entering the kingdom of God.
HOW TO GET RID OF THE SPIRIT OF OWNERSHIP:
How then can we get rid of this spirit of ownership? or why should we get rid of this spirit of ownership.This spirit denies us of the full generosity of God because it does not allow us to let go of things when God tells us to let go not knowing that when God tells us to let go of anything it is only because he wants to give you something better.
The answer is to develop a spirit of stewardship.
WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP:
The best way I can explain this to you is to give you an illustration.If I give you my car to use for some time because I noticed that you need a car to go to work and also carry out some necessary errands.That car actually is not yours.I only gave it to you because I felt you needed it.But what if I now tell you to give that same car to somebody else that also needs a car.what would you do?Most of us would hold onto the car.We would refuse to let it go because we have become used to it.But what we do not realize is that the only reason I am telling you to let it go is because I am going to give you another one since I still know that you need a car.!The only way we can let go , is if we bear in mind that the car is not ours.!The SPIRIT OF STEWARDSHIP IS THE CONSTANT KNOWLEDGE THAT ALL THAT YOU HAVE DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU BUT TO THE LORD OUR GOD.
HOW DO YOU DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF OWNERSHIP
With man it is not possible .But with God , all things are possible.This spirit can only be given to you when you sincerely ask God in prayer for it.
LET US PRAY
Dear Lord let everyone that comes across this write up and listens to the audio have an understanding of what the spirit of stewardship is .and may he or she pray to you everyday for the spirit of stewardship.This we ask through Christ our Lord.Amen
0 Comments