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Life at it's Best: Steward time, talent wisely

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  • Originally published November 19, 2009 at midnight, updated November 20, 2009 at 3:25 p.m.

Have you ever had more month left than money? Or reached the end of your week only to find that your wallet was empty?

Most of us have.

It can be easy to overspend in today's society, but mishandling our finances creates a source of stress God calls us to eliminate.

Jesus was clear that God's blessing on our lives leads to plenty that we can enjoy with peace and purpose.

One of the stories that proves God's willingness and ability to provide for us is found in John 6:1-14. In this passage, Jesus is preaching to a large group of people - 15,000 of them - on a mountain side.

As it starts to grow dark, Jesus realizes that the people are beginning to get hungry. He doesn't want to send them away famished, but knows there is no place nearby to buy food.

So, Jesus asked his disciples, "What do you have?" The disciples explained to him that the only food they could find was a little boy's lunch that was packed by his mother. It wasn't much - just five loaves of bread and two fish.

Of course, Jesus knew that in the natural, it was impossible to feed 15,000 people with such a small amount of food, but he didn't scoff at the gift.

He simply said "Bring it to me. Put what you have in my hands."

The boy listened and brought the little that Jesus asked for. He watched as Jesus blessed the food and instructed the disciples to begin feeding the throng of people.

Little by little, each person received their food. By the time everyone had been fed and was satisfied, there were 12 baskets left over.

I often wonder - if I were that little boy, what would I have done? Would I have kept the food for myself, because it was all I had?

Would I think, "It's not my fault that all these people didn't bring their lunch. This is my lunch. This is what I brought."

I don't know. But I'm glad this little boy made the right decision, because his story serves as a powerful example of who God blesses.

God blesses givers who give Him what's in their hands, knowing He is willing and able to increase it.

God is not against us having money, he is against money having us.

He does not want our job or bank account to be viewed as our source, because He is our source.

He longs to bless us, but we must accept responsibility for how we manage our resources.

Stewarding our time and talent wisely will lead us to the place where we experience His best.

So, I encourage you to ask yourself today - what's in your hands? What has God blessed you with already that you should be a good steward of?

If - like that little boy - you make the decision to put it in God's hands, you will see your blessings increase and your life become greater than you ever imagined it could be.

Jim Graff is the Senior Pastor of Faith Family Church in Victoria, TX. www.faithfamilyvictoria.com.


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