What does "not sell or exchange" teach about stewardship of God's gifts? Setting the Scene • Ezekiel 40–48 details a future, restored temple and the distribution of land in Israel. • Within that allotment, God gives the priests “the best part of the land.” • Ezekiel 48:14: “They must not sell or exchange any of it, and they shall not transfer this best part of the land, for it is holy to the LORD.” The Command in Focus “Not sell or exchange” is a direct, literal prohibition. God ties the land’s holiness to its being kept exactly as He assigns it—no bartering, no profit-taking, no re-allocation. Key Stewardship Principles • God retains ultimate ownership – “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). – The priests receive the land, but only as trustees. • Holiness limits human manipulation – What God sets apart must stay set apart (Leviticus 27:28). – My rights end where God’s consecration begins. • Faithfulness over profitability – 1 Corinthians 4:2: “Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” – The priests are not free to leverage the gift for gain; they are to guard it. • Contentment with God’s provision – Luke 12:15 warns against greed. – The portion God hands us is enough; seeking “better deals” exposes distrust. Practical Applications Today Time • God sets aside one day in seven (Exodus 20:8-11). It is not mine to “trade” for overtime or extra hobbies when He has already marked it holy. Talents • Spiritual gifts are “to serve one another as good stewards” (1 Peter 4:10), not to be bartered for applause or income. Treasure • Tithes and offerings are holy to the Lord (Malachi 3:8-10). Re-directing them to personal projects equals “selling” what belongs to Him. Truth • We dare not dilute or market the gospel for popularity (Galatians 1:10). The message is His; we steward it by proclaiming it unchanged. Church Property • Buildings, funds, and resources given for ministry must stay on mission. Off-loading them for secular ventures violates the “not sell or exchange” principle. Tests of Faithful Stewardship • Am I treating anything God calls holy as negotiable? • Does my management showcase trust in God’s provision rather than pursuit of personal advantage? • Would the Owner say I have preserved, protected, and deployed His gift exactly as He instructed? Encouragement to Remain Faithful • Luke 16:10-12 promises greater responsibility to those faithful in little. • Matthew 6:19-21 assures eternal reward when we handle resources heavenward. • Acts 4:32-37 portrays a community that honored God’s gifts and saw great grace rest on them all. The priests’ land teaches us: when God grants a gift and stamps it “holy,” the steward’s task is simple—guard it, use it as directed, never trade it away. |
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