So glad you are here!
Today we have a continuation from last Friday’s post by our guest blogger, Mary Hunt. We are excited to share Part 2 of her story with you. If you haven’t had a chance to read the first half, no worries! You may view it right here. Go ahead and read Part 1 if you haven’t, then come right on back to read the rest of her story!
Take it all in…and enjoy!
…But that was a problem. It was still all about me. And can we talk about pressure? Sure, I’m entrepreneurial and all, but it’s not easy to keep that income stream flowing.
I don’t know exactly when it happened, but it has been a humbling experience to come to terms with this matter of money.
Whose money is it, anyway?
“The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24: 1)
“The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the LORD Almighty.” (Haggai 2: 8)
“Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” (Deut. 8: 18)
“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” (1 Cor. 6:19– 20)
God is teaching me a lot these days. And I am certain of one thing: God owns everything. I am his money manager.
I have come to the point of unbelievable peace rest now that I know for certain that God owns everything. He even owns me. Should he find me trustworthy, I am his money manager. I am his steward, not for just 10 percent, but for everything. He’s training me to see the needs, to get excited about spreading his wealth to the needy. A steward manages assets for the owner’s benefit. He trusts me to make distribution decisions. As his money manager, God even trusts me to set my own salary. I draw needed funds from his wealth to pay our living expenses.
I don’t believe God wants me to live opulently in a mega-mansion. I don’t believe God wants me driving a flashy car or living with some kind of a superior attitude of wealth. But I’m a child of the king so living as a pauper doesn’t seem right either.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
Wow. What a difference this has made. The pressure is off. It’s not up to me. Whether God asks me to manage hundreds or millions, that’s up to him. It’s not my money. I’m a worker bee for Kingdom. I long to be found trustworthy, reliable and available. I desire good judgment, wisdom and an excellent relationship with my “employer.”
I want to be like him, to understand his criteria so that I can distribute his riches as he desires. The more I know of Christ, the more of a giver I be-come. And the more I distribute, the more I become like Christ.
Since I was 11-years old, I’ve longed for riches so I could be completely free–free from parental control, free from longing, free from fear and worry. In all of my striving and conniving that kind of freedom eluded me. My efforts landed me in bondage.
Discovering my role as God’s money manager has changed everything. I don’t long for riches, I no longer want a million dollars. And for the first time in my life, I’m experiencing peace, joy and freedom like I could have never imagined.
God does not want me to be rich. I am certain of that. He wants me to distribute his riches as his faithful and trustworthy steward.
Mary
