The Danger of “mine”
“Mine.”
It is such a simple, small word, but one that holds great depths of meaning and significance in Biblical stewardship. As we start exploring the dangers to us fully embracing Biblical stewardship in our lives, this four-letter word poses perhaps the biggest danger of all those we will consider. This is the first major obstacle we must address to truly live the life of a steward.
Stewardship starts with ownership
In its simplest form, stewardship is caring for, or managing something that belongs to another. When we bring this into the context of Biblical stewardship, the first thing we must recognize is that God owns everything. (My previous post on ‘Ownership‘ breaks this out in more detail.)
This face has huge implications for us all, and not just in the context of stewardship. Today you will explore this fact further and consider the implications of this truth for Christians. It is one thing to understand this truth, it is quite another to have it alter your perceptions and actions. As you begin today, I would like you to read, and meditate on these three verses from Psalm 50.
Psalm 50:10–12
10 For every animal of the forest is Mine,
The cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird of the mountains,
And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
For the world is Mine, and everything it contains.
Asaph writes this Psalm as if it were God speaking. This small section is part of a larger dialogue that God is having with His chosen nation of Israel as he describes how he has no need of the things that they might bring because he owns so much.
Asaph rightly ascribes all of creation as “mine” when talking in God’s voice. Asaph, like David, (Psalm 24:1-2,) recognized that God has the right to claim any and every part of creation because he is Creator. For God to describe anything as “mine” is entirely right and appropriate.
We all use the word “Mine”
But what about us?
Isn’t the word “mine” used to describe things around you?
Things you own?
Things that are rightfully recognized as being yours?
Ownership has been an established part of every culture and society throughout history. It was, and is, necessary to distinguish which property belongs to different individuals. This prevents disputes, fights, and hopefully, theft. Ownership is one of the integral parts of our society today. Just ask anyone who has been or is in prison after being convicted of taking something that is not their own.
Children, early on, will exhibit a sense of “ownership” over things. Have you ever seen a sibling trying to take something from a brother or sister? “But it’s mine”. “Mom, they took my toy!” “Give it back, it’s not yours.” How many parents have listened to a child complain that what was taken was rightfully theirs? Persuasive arguments may be made to the adjudicating adult to settle the dispute, but then again, a small toddler just snapping out the word “mine” leaves the observer in no doubt they consider a thing theirs.
But I own things
We have many things that could be labelled “mine.” There is little doubt that you could look around you and identify things you would label in this way. Gifts you received, objects you made, or items you purchased. You have deeds and documentation with your name on that prove other things are yours. Society attributes ownership in these, and other, ways.
The use of the word “mine” is a real threat to understanding ownership for the steward.
The longer I consider something as “mine,” and not Gods, the longer it will take for me fully adopt the principles of stewardship into my life. Stewardship, as taught in the Bible, requires a radical perspective change. Even if I might label something as “mine”, in truth it belongs to God.
The reason this is so challenging is that if I view something as mine, by extension I get to determine what happens with it. It’s my money – I can spend it how I like. I own this car – I can use it how I please. It’s my time – I can do what I want with it. However, the recognition as God as the true owner of everything, including us as Christians, requires that perspective to change.
Regardless of whether my name is on the ownership papers, or if the money came out of my bank account, the recognition that it is Gods must change what we do with it. It’s his money – I will spend it how he wants. God owns this car – I can use it to serve him. It’s his time – how can I use it best for him?
It’s hard to let go
I will be honest with you, this is the part of stewardship that I struggle with most. The idea that something is mine is so natural and so ingrained in my mind that I have to consciously stop and remember that it truly is Gods when I am using it. I have realized though that the longer I keep holding onto something as mine, the less likely I am to willingly and happily use it for God.
This is one part stewardship that I do not have completely nailed down. (I don’t have any of them completely nailed down if we’re being completely open!) But by God’s grace, I am striving to do it better. I encourage you to give this some serious thought and consideration because it can become one of the greatest hinderances to us embracing stewardship in our lives.
Up Next:
Explore Ownership more:
Stewardship Component #1 – Ownership
“My responsibility in light of Ownership” **Coming soon**
