Ownership

James 1:17 NIV

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.

I cannot claim any of the blessings I enjoy including my job as something that I have earned. Though I have always felt like this, I am constantly reminded by today's economy that having a job is not always in my control. So just as each day is a gift from God, this verse is a reminder that all that we supposedly own is a gift from God.

Native Americans entered into treaties concerning rights to land use, but the idea of land sales was alien to them-and it is likely that, because of difficulties in translation of each others' languages, neither the natives nor the settlers understood this vital difference, at first. Today, we have the right to own land and pass it on to our heirs but as Christians we understand the earth and all that is in it belongs to God. (1Corinthians 10:26).

The acknowledgement that we do not own anything is liberating for me. I don't have to worry about my possessions if they are stolen or destroyed in a tornado. Sure I might miss some things but somehow I feel that God who provided all this will continue to provide for my needs. When I borrow something from the library or someone else, I take better care of it than if it were my own because I want to return it in good condition. I have a lot to learn about taking care of what God has given me but this passage certainly motivates me to do so. As a custodian of what God has given me I am more willing to share it or let go of it when I need to.

Prayer: Gracious God, let us continue to learn about your world and your design and how it operates so we can truly be stewards of this planet so future generations may also be blessed as richly as we have. Amen

.