We never really own anything during our brief time on earth. God just loans it to us while we’re here. The Bible says, “The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all who live on it are his” (Psalm 24:1 GNT).
The first job God gave humans was to manage and take care of God’s “stuff” on earth. This role has never been rescinded. It is a part of our purpose today. Everything we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands.
Years ago, a couple let my wife and me use their beautiful, beachfront home in Hawaii for a vacation. We were told, “Use it just like it’s yours,” so we did! We swam in the pool, ate the food in the refrigerator, used the bath towels and dishes, and even jumped on the beds in fun!
But we knew all along that it wasn’t really ours, so we took special care of everything. We enjoyed the benefits of using the home without owning it. We were responsible stewards of the gift we had been given.
Jesus often referred to life as a trust and told many stories to illustrate our responsibility toward God. In the story of the talents, a businessman evaluates each servant’s responsibility and rewards them accordingly. He says, “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!” (Matthew 25:21 NIV).
At the end of your life on earth, you will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well you handled what God entrusted to you. That means everything you do—even simple daily chores—has eternal implications. If you treat everything as a trust, God promises three rewards in eternity.
First, you will be given God’s affirmation: He will say, “Good job! Well done!” Next, you will receive a promotion and be given greater responsibility in eternity: “I will put you in charge of many things.” Then you will be honored with a celebration: “Come and share your Master’s happiness.”
There will be no greater joy, and it is available to every faithful steward of God’s gifts.
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