If you watch enough television, you see a lot of commercials for banking and investments, planning your future financially. While I think we should be responsible with money, I think too many people are falling prey to the world’s mindset about wealth and independence.
When the Israelites were in the desert before they reached the Promised Land, God gave them daily manna, literally bread for the day. He provided for their needs on a daily basis, and no matter how they tried, the manna would not last overnight except for on the Sabbath as God ordained. Even one of the best known prayers in scripture says “Give us this day our daily bread.” The point was to teach them dependence on Him.
In the parable about the stewards who are left in charge of money, two invested their shares and made a profit for their master, and one did nothing except hold onto his share. Two of them did the best that they could with what they had been entrusted, while the third hoarded his share in fear. I think the point here is to make the most of what you have been given for your master, Jesus Christ, because what we have was given to us by Him. We are only stewards.
Sometimes we get caught up in the idea of saving for the future and making investments out of fear. The rich man decided to build another barn to store up his riches, but he didn’t live to enjoy them. Only God knows the future. He is the one we should trust for our daily bread. The Christian journey is one of learning to depend on Christ, while the dream of being independently wealthy is a world view centered on self-reliance. As Christians, we are children of the King who owns everything and will give us what we need if we rely on Him. Our purpose is to make the most of what he has given us this day. If it be riches, then use them wisely for the building of His kingdom and not the building of a new storage shed. If it be but a pittance, like the poor widow’s mite, give it in thankfulness. Find a balance between wasting what you’ve been given and hoarding it in fear of the future.
Be a good steward…and remember…you are only a steward. It is God’s to give and take as He pleases for His purposes. It is ours to do the best we can with what we have been given and to trust in His providence for our daily bread.