For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)
The self-made man or woman is highly regarded in today’s society. Rags to riches success stories captivate us. As our culture subtly creeps into our church, boasting and bragging have become commonplace. It’s the American Dream. God gets left out of the picture as we pat ourselves on the back.
Stop for a moment and think God has given us—our families, material possessions, time, abilities, even our very lives! God has entrusted us to manage all that we’ve been given. And in light of all that we have been freely given, how do we respond? We should freely offer back to Him as a gift of love.
It is important to be faithful. Since God owns everything, we must not hold on tightly to our time or money if Christ asks us to part with it. Ask Him how He wants you to spend the money, time, and talents you’ve been given. Then listen to His answer and be ready to obey.