From the Bishops Desk
Who's is It?
All hail King Jesus, all hail Emmanuel.
There has been so much anxiety over the state of the economy lately. Massive job losses, home foreclosures, and car repossessions have made the top headlines time and time again. Individuals and families have seen their entire life-savings disappeared before their eyes. Smaller banks have been absorbed by bigger ones in order to be kept afloat and big banks are marrying to solidifying their financial position. Major department stores have closed their doors, car dealerships, schools, churches, you name it; everyone has been affected in some way. It's as if the foundations of the very things we build our trust and confidence on, God is shaking right before our very eyes.
In times like these, we have to ask, "What is God saying to us? What is He trying to teach us?" Seeing that nothing happens without His permission, "what is the lesson to be learned?" As I look to the Lord for guidance and direction, these scriptures came to light.
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But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own, we have given You. 1 Chron. 29:14 (NKJV)
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The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Psalms 24:1-2 (NKJV)
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Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalms 100:3 (NKJV)
So, whose is it? According to these scriptures, everything in this world belongs to God. In reality our homes, cars, businesses, banks, etc., all belong to Him. Consequently, if it all belongs to Him then we are just stewards. A steward is one who is entrusted with the management of another person's property, finances, or household affairs. I Corinthians 4:2 records, 'Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.' When we examine the operations of the banking system, can we say they were faithful stewards when home loans were made to people who could not afford the loans? Consider the individuals who accepted the loans knowing the purchases would blow their budgets; can we say they were faithful stewards? Then, is it not the owner's prerogative if he wants to remove the unfaithful steward from his stewardship?
For too long we have been behaving as If all that we have is ours. Ever so often God has to remind us that He is the one in control. He is the owner of it all; not the banks, not the government but Him. I will agree with Eli in I Samuel 3:18 when he said: "It is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to Him".
Maranatha