Devotions Inspired By Beyond BlessedSample

HAVE YOU BEEN FAITHFUL?
by James Morris

Have you ever heard the saying, “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer”? Well, that principle is actually biblical. People increase where they are good stewards and decrease where they are poor stewards. Often money flows out of the hands of those who don’t steward it well and into the hands of those who do. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14– 30 is a great example of this. 

If you want more of something, whether it’s influence, money, work position, or better health, you must look at how you’re stewarding what you already have. Another word for stewarding is managing. If you hired someone to manage your stuff and they handled it all the exact same way you have, would you be pleased with their work? Would you want to promote them? 

I was once helping mediate between two couples who had a conflict. One family was renting a house from the other family. However, the renter was not taking care of the house, nor were they paying on time. This was a heart issue. I talked through many biblical principles as we worked toward a resolution. I remember asking the renter, “Would you like to have your own house one day?” They said, “Oh yes, absolutely!” I told them they hadn’t set themselves up to do this. “What?” they said surprised. I went on to read Luke 16:12, “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” I pointed out that they weren’t taking very good care of the other family’s house and that if they wanted to one day have a house of their own, taking care of the house they already lived in would be a good place to start. 

We can take this principle a step further. Remember God owns everything, and if you’d like to see an increase in a certain area of your life, simply look at the way you’re managing what He’s already given you. Are you the kind of steward He’s looking for?

PRAYER
Father in heaven, thank You for loving me, choosing me, and calling me Your child. Please help me to take care of the things You’ve entrusted to me. Help me become a better manager who honors You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE   
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” MATTHEW 6:33 (NLT)