Mine, Your's or God's?

Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything.

1 Chron 29:12 (HCSB)

So when it comes to stuff is it mine, is it yours or is it God's. There is a misconception among church goers that Christ followers must be mindful of. The misconception is that it is our and we give God a gift in the offering plate. Equally misleading is that it is ours but God gave it to us so we must give 10% (tithe) back.

The truth is that 100% is God's and we are merely managers of it. King David said riches and honor come from God and He is the ruler of it all. It is a misconception to think we give God a gift because we are thankful or that 90% is mine and 10% I owe to God. No it is ALL His!

So what are the implications here? As a Christ follower I am managing God's money. It is given for His Kingdom's work. Part of our management is provisions for our use because He is a gracious owner. So, when we have a money decision to make perhaps we should ask an important question. What does God want me to do with His resources and how will I best honor Him as a manager of His stuff?

You are His Masterpiece

For we are His creation—created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Eph 2:10 (HCSB)

Gentleness

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.

Phil 4:5 (NASB95)

I have a toddler at home who is at that stage where she is beginning to play a little rough. She sometimes will swat at you, as a baby will. She plays with my grandparents dog that way. At times we have to say, "Lizzie, gentle."

I think here in Philippians Paul is reminding us for our need to be gentle. The idea however is a little different from what we are trying to teach my 15 month old. This word in the original has the meaning of moderation or reasonableness or even graciousness. It is the idea of courtesy and being easy to get along with.

I think it is important for us as Christ followers to recognize that in order to impact the world around us with the good news of Jesus we need to have an easy, gentle spirit in dealing with people. If we knock people over in the business world, trying to get ahead, if we are not gracious at home those around us will not be inclined to hear about a loving God.

His call for us is to be gentle.

Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Phil 4:4 (HCSB)

Really to let the truth be known, Christ followers should be the happiest people around. Paul tells us to rejoice. We have so much to rejoice about. Even in the worst of circumstances a Christ follower has more to rejoice over than any other person that is having not a single struggle.

So today do something a little different from others around you. Rejoice!

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