Stewardship series #2

    2 )  Life is Gift.  What are we doing with it?

    Life itself is a gift, and a trust;  What are we doing with it?  A radio host boldly proclaims he has "talent on loan from God!"  While it is intended to incite some, we Christians know it to actually be the truth. We are here on earth just a speck of time in eternity, and have been given, or loaned, everything we have while we're here.  How are we treating this gift? How are we repaying the great loan of Time, Talent, Treasure & Relationships we have been entrusted with?

    In the parable of the Ten Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, the Master  says, (23) "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" In Luke 16:10-11, Jesus says, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" Is life a placement exam for our "eternal position"? It would seem so.

    The bible refers to us jointly as the body of Christ. Most of 1 Corinthians, chapter 12 discusses the indispensable body parts, each with its own gifts, none more important than the others, none able to fully function without the others. 12:26-27 says, "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.  Now you are the body of Christ and each of you is a part of it."   Life itself is the ultimate team sport.  We are put here as individuals, but with the abilities to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. This is the relationships part of Time Talent Treasure & Relationships.  1 Peter 04:10 says, "As each one has received a gift, employ it for one another as good stewards of God's varied grace."  Ephesians 04:16; " From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Too many of us look at our time, talents, treasures

and relationships and say, "If I only I could win the Lottery, then I'd do (some great thing)" God does not expect us as individuals to save everyone and do everything.  He only expects us to do all we can. Jesus praised the widow donating two copper coins as being greater in God's eyes than most of the rich, who gave in their abundance. Our task is to work together, as a body, each doing what we can, do achieve great things as a team.

    We make little choices every day as to how to utilize the resources God has entrusted to us.  These are the true reflection of our spirit.  2 Corinthians 8:12; "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have."  Rejoice and be glad, and join Christ's team.

   Christian Stewardship Is:  How well I score on my eternal placement exam.

   Other related scripture: Luke 03:11 and 12:48 ,  1 Corinthians 4:1-2 ,  Matthew 7:24-27