After reading John Temple's thoughts on the contrasts between World vs God's view on money, I've been thinking a lot about the idea of 'stewardship' in the context of what God originally intended when He 'placed Adam in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
The revelation for me here is that everything on earth is on loan to us, EVERYTHING. Including our time, possessions, business affair, money and much more that we consider as our belongings.
Adam didn't 'make' the garden thus considering it 'his own'. It was entrusted to him to maintain and manage.
Somewhere along the line humanity seem to have forgotten the principle behind His timeless reminder for the Old Testament nation of Israel "Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, and it is this day." Deuteronomy 8V17-18.
No doubt it's easier for us to consider everything that we have or worked hard for - cars, house, career, income, holidays...etc as OURS - so the world tells us. The culture driven by consumerism is clearly reflected in the unstable economy of 21st century as people engage in a lifestyle that features increasing need/greed to consum more, live better life and spend over/above the necessities - all for one's own pleasure.
Why does our world still hunger for more when 80% of the population in the First World Countries are ranking at world's top 20% for quality of life? I can't help but notice the crazy reality that most people are more than willing to invest their treasure and hearts into what doesn't satisfy their soul, because if it did they will not be left still craving for more while living in abundance.
Jesus said "where your treausre is there your heart will be also" Matthew 6v21. Are we just naive or are we insane to give our hearts away like that?
Proverbs 30v8 reminds me that neither rich or poor is the issue but what's true and always will be is that God is faithful in providing for our daily needs. Infact, any one who walks with God is already filled with the richness of His promises, wisdom and love - and these are the treasures that we will carry into eternity when the temporary in this world fades.
It's only when people fully undertstand their purpose by design that they are enpowered to live as Paul encouraged in his letters to the Ephesians church "to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasuare [in heaven] for themselves as a foundation for the future" 1 Tim 6v18-19.
