“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…” (Psalm 24:1 NIV)
As I was remembering living in various rented houses and townhouses over the years, the picture of preparing for the landlord’s final walkthrough entered my mind. I remember making sure everything was clean and functioning just as I had found it when I took occupancy. If repairs had to be made, I made them before the walkthrough. Things stored in unsuspecting places, once discovered, were discarded. They had been sitting there for some time and they were never going to be used again. The dumpster became their new temporary home. The floors were swept or mopped clean. In most cases, a clean-up crew was not necessary; at least in my opinion. When I turned over the keys I was glad to hear, “Well done sir!
As we start this week, let us keep in mind the verse above. Remember that we are just tenants on this earth, regardless of our social or economic tiers as defined by society; regardless if we own, rent, or if in the process of buying our dwelling place. Everything belongs to the Lord. He is THE Landlord! Don’t wait until it gets close to the time we “move out” to get things in order. Are you hearing me?
This week, as part of our commitment to the climb, let us commit to being good stewards of all the Lord has blessed us with, ranging from our loved ones to the place we labor; including the material possessions we have and the knowledge we are in possession of as a result of being taught from the God’s word. Let us be good tenants of the truth that set us free, but don’t keep it to self; share it with others. You have been given a light within you. Be a good tenant and let it shine. You have been entrusted with some great responsibilities; especially letting the Christ in you be seen by others in your conduct, words, and faith. You have been given charge over that which belongs to the Lord. As the song says, “Don’t let Him catch you with your work undone. “ Be a good, no, be a great steward this week and keep on getting better!
Read the passage below. Don’t procrastinate or push it aside. It will not take that long to read, but the benefit you get from it shall be lengthy and hopefully, lively in your life! It shall be profitable to you. Have a great Monday! Be blessed!
“For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey. The one who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he [made a profit and] gained five more. Likewise the one who had two [made a profit and] gained two more. But the one who had received the one went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. And the one who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted to me five talents. See, I have [made a profit and] gained five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’ Also the one who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have [made a profit and] gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’ The one who had received one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a harsh and demanding man, reaping [the harvest] where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter seed. So I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked, lazy servant, you knew that I reap [the harvest] where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter seed. Then you ought to have put my money with the bankers, and at my return I would have received my money back with interest. So take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away.” (Matthew 25:14-29 AMP)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King