He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom

Psalm 105:21-22

A man can either be a servant, or a slave.

To be a servant is one who works for someone for a wage, and uses that wage to provide for their own needs. The slave, on the other hand, is fully dependant upon his master. The slave still works, but the master is in charge of the entire well-being of the individual. Whether the slave is well-provided for, or little, it is all in the hands of someone else.

I most earnestly desire to be Christ’s slave, not merely His servant. I decided long ago to trust my well-being completely in His hands, and to trust Him with whatever the outcome would be. We trust, stand in Faith on His promises, and we see what He has ordained come to pass.

What I have is not my own, and, in the very end of it all, we truly own nothing here.

The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 24:1

Surely, when we die, we will prove this to be the case. Nothing is brought with us, and nothing taken on our departure. We are each, like that manager of the master’s books, soon to be removed from our station in a short time, and we will no longer be in charge of what we are in charge of now.

Yet, to each of his servant, the master gives gifts. He equips each one according to their ability, as He sees fit.

…having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

2 Corinthians 6:10b

Even as we “own nothing”, God has given us each of us resonsibilities.

It is more than simply how you look at it. If you look at a thing as yours, it is all you have. The physical object, the natural reality. But, when we realize we are stewards, and possess nothing, we can be sure that God understands that in order to use a gift of hospitality, some people will need a house. If someone has a gift of giving, that person needs something to give.

God is not a giver like man. He is He who supplies both seed to the sower and bread to the eater.

Just as food and clothing are required, other certain things in life are required for both the maintaining of the person and for the accomplishment of ministry.

Each man may serve as he or she finds a place, but, in the end, it is only what is of Him that is for sure.

Yet, just as that slave may work for his master, and the master provides for his needs, what slave well pleasing to his Master would not then hope some day to be well-provided for? Would a house be too much? Perhaps transportation? He may even be put in charge of buildings, equipment, and other workers, if the master would so fit.

So, too, with us. Although the world may see our that we may have this or that, do we really? Do we base our existence upon this worldly frame, or like those who have gone before, are we willing to suffer the confiscation of our good, knowing that we truly have better possessions in heaven (Hebrews 10:34)?

If we cannot say yes to this, perhaps we still cling too tightly to that which we can see and touch with our hands.

This saying is sure. What you have in heaven cannot be taken away or stolen, and it will never wear out. The things that you are owed to have in the Earth (for Jesus Himself said whoever left these things for Him would receive both in this life and in the next) will find its way to you. Is God mocked?

The issue is not whether you have a house, a car, this or that. The real question is, is this what the Father has given to His trusted servant? Or is this the acquisition of a servant, who is simply using what he has been paid?

Simply put, there are many ministries which cannot be carried out with the possession of certain things. If God has called one to be a land-owner, one must own land. If one is called to have a church of 1,000, there must be a place to gather. And, these things can be either of the Lord, or of the hand of man.

Just as we must decide with what material to build, let us be found faithful, so that the Father can entrust us with true riches?

Buildings, ministries, and possessions are simply resources and tools to fascilitate the ministry of what is really real. All the rest will fade away in a moment, but faith, hope, and love last forever.

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:10-13

If we can see beyond this earth to see the real treasure, perhaps He can trust us with more resources on this Earth, which He created for us to use, to bring about His real ends.

Truly, if you are faithful in the little you do have, God will give you more, because He can trust you. But, if you cannot handle even what you have, why would He give you more?

Consider prayer, even. How many, given the opportunity, would pray eight hours a day? Many may say they would like to, but what do you do with the three to four hours in your day you have free? Each man, as much as it is today, must work eight hours, sleep about eight hours, and have a few hours here and there to accomplish certain things. But, the remaining few are simply yours to choose. What are you doing with them? If you do not use at least a noticable amount for prayer now, you are not likely to use any noticable amount of a larger portion of time if you were given it.

Or, in your finances. God delights in the prosperity of His people, but if you are not a giver now, more wont ever make you one.

But, as God gives, so He provides, and the things that we make decisions with now will determine our destiny.

Are we content with where we’re going, or do we need to change course? Are we satisfied with the level that God can trust us with, or do we bear some strengthening in certain areas, to remove the waste, to remove the carelessness, and learn how to walk in excellence?

This life, and this whole world, are but a test. It does not have to be a grueling ordeal, but as we learn to trust Him, and walk hand-in-hand, he may stop handing you just dollars, and give you heavenly gifts as well.