An Owner or a Steward?

Tuesday morning, April 29, 2008
As I hope you remember, in yesterday’s perspective I mentioned that it was my strong opinion that Jesus “hurt the feelings” of the temple leaders when He told them that they had turned His House into a robbers den, and I went on to say that I seriously doubted that He was concerned about having done so. The truth is His agenda had a much higher purpose than catering to their feelings.
Interestingly, this morning I was reading from the fourth chapter of Acts and in the process, I came upon this passage: “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them” (Acts 4:32). Wow! I wonder how this would go over in your local church, i.e. among the congregation of those who believe where you worship. Actually, I think we can find out, if you really want to know.
This Sunday morning stand up in church and read this passage and suggest to the congregation that, since this was the practice of the early church, it should be the practice of your church, as well. Then suggest that everyone gather the following Wednesday afternoon, when verse 34 and 35 will be carried out: “For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need” (vs. 34-35). Don’t expect a very large gathering.
The truth is I marvel at the fact that this ever happened, even within the early church, and, consequently, I have no expectations of it happening today, but that is not my point. My point is this: there are many things about the early church that would prove to be very offensive to the church we know today, and this example is certainly one of them.
I do think it worth noting that the fruit of this “releasing of ownership” was quite incredible: “And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them. . .” (vs. 33-34a).
Somehow, we have forgotten (if we ever knew) that we are mere stewards of what God has entrusted to us, NOT the owners of it. An owner is privileged to do as he/she pleases with whatever is owned; however, a steward has a much higher privilege—to take care of what has been entrusted to him and to use it according to the owner’s instructions. To say the least, recognizing that most of us have been made stewards of much, I seriously doubt that there should be even one truly needy person among us. In all probability, if even half of the stained glass, fancy candelabras, tall steeples, expensive musical instruments, ad infinitum, that the church itself owns, were sold and the proceeds laid at the feet of those Christians who care about the needy, most needy believers would no longer be needy. At the very least, the government could get out of the welfare business and the church would take care of her own.
Are you an owner or a steward. Your response to what I have written might provide you with a hint.

Blessings and love,