Owner vs Steward Mentality II

Continuing our exposition into the difference between the stewardship and ownership mentality, this week we look a bit closer at the circumstances surrounding Abraham and Lot. From Genesis 14, we read that after his victory in the battle to recover his nephew Lot and all lost possessions, Abraham was met by Melchizedek, a priest of the Most High. The priest said to him, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand” (v. 19–20). Melchizedek makes a very clear distinction: that God (and no one else) is the possessor of heaven and earth, and that while it may have been Abraham who proceeded to collect the victory at the battle of the kings, it was God who granted it to him in the first place. We need this same mentality today; that nothing we accomplish is in our own strength—God is the one who goes before us and supplies all we need for life and godliness. All blessings come from God, whether you can trace them or not, and one of the easiest ways to believe this is to remember that there are many people praying for what you have—if God were not the source, why are so many people asking Him? Church, be mindful of the blessings of God in the smallest of things. The hand of the Lord is all over your life.

Abraham then responded to the Word of God that he received with an offering, giving a tenth of all the spoils he gained (v. 20b). God never asked him for anything, but Abraham’s revelation from the priest—that God had abundantly blessed him and ensured his victory—triggered a response of honour. God does not come to take from us; all things belong to Him, and He is the One who gives first. In His word, He even makes it clear, “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine… if I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness” (Psalm 50:10–12). So there is nothing you have that God is in need of, but all that you have comes from Him (1 Corinthians 3:6), and our honour becomes an acknowledgement of the source, lest we fool ourselves into believing that we are our own suppliers.

But the King of Sodom, who represents the systems of the world, asked him: “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself” (Genesis 14:21). This king wanted to trick Abraham into yielding his most valuable possessions—people—because even he understood that relationships are the currency of life, and that blessings from God don’t just fall down on the earth like manna, but are carried by individuals that God has strategically placed in our lives. So value people, value relationships—you cannot make it alone! But because he had the word and had received revelation from Melchizedek, Abraham was able to thwart this temptation (v.22–23). God visited Abraham soon after this, assuring him by saying: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1). This is the apex of all blessings: God Himself. When we have Him, we have everything we need.

Another example of someone who displayed a good understanding of God’s ownership and our stewardship is King David. At the time of the building of the temple of God, we see that beyond the royal wealth that he gave towards this cause, he also gave willingly and bountifully towards the project, and called all leaders in different sectors of Israel to do the same. There was nothing he would withhold from God, because he understood that all things come from Him, and that it is a privilege to give to a God who does not need anything. He was not inundated by bread-and-butter challenges, but he saw beyond himself and the welfare of the multitude. These are the kinds of people we ought to learn from, because generosity can be learnt. Let us close with the words of David, who reveals a deep revelation of the understanding of who God is: “To you, O God, belong the greatness and the might, the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendour; Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth; the kingdom all yours! You’ve raised yourself high over all. Riches and glory come from you, you’re ruler over all; You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand to build up and strengthen all. And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you, praising your splendid Name. ‘But me—who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we’re doing is giving back what we’ve been given from your generous hand’” (1 Chronicles 29:11–14). This is a man who knew God, who knew that God is ruler and owner of all, and even in his giving to Him, this perspective reigned—that God Himself is the source. Amen.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the truth being revealed to us with every teaching. We thank you for shining light on our understanding, for renewing our mind according to your word and principles. We thank you for the grace to change and align, we thank you for your mercy when we fall short, and may we never become callous to your counsel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.