How can we ensure we respect what belongs to God in our lives? Recognizing the Heart of Joel 3:5 “Indeed, you took My silver and My gold, and you carried off My finest treasures to your temples.” (Joel 3:5) God speaks of His silver, His gold, His treasures—reminding us that everything truly belongs to Him. The foreign nations had treated what was sacred as common loot, and the Lord called them to account. Their failure becomes a mirror for us: How do we handle what is God’s? Foundational Truths That Guard Our Attitude • Psalm 24:1—“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” • 1 Chronicles 29:14—“Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20—“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” These verses anchor us: possessions, time, bodies, abilities—all are His property entrusted to us. Practical Ways to Respect What Belongs to God 1. Honor His resources • Tithe and give generously (Malachi 3:8-10). • Budget with stewardship in mind, asking, “How can these dollars advance His kingdom?” 2. Guard sacred spaces • Treat worship gatherings as holy, not casual entertainment (Hebrews 12:28-29). • Keep your home a place where His Word and prayer are welcomed (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). 3. Offer your body as His temple • Pursue purity in thought and action (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). • Rest, exercise, and eat wisely—acknowledging your body is “a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). 4. Invest time deliberately • Set aside a daily appointment with Him before other commitments crowd in (Mark 1:35). • Observe a rhythm of Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:8-11). 5. Use talents for kingdom purposes • Serve in the local church; spiritual gifts are “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). • Let vocational skills shine with integrity and excellence, pointing coworkers to Christ (Colossians 3:23-24). Living the Lesson Today • Regularly inventory life’s “treasures”—money, possessions, relationships, influence—and consciously hand them back to the Owner. • When tempted to grasp tightly, remember Joel 3:5: God notices how His valuables are treated. • Gratitude fuels reverence; thankfulness turns stewardship from duty into delight. Encouragement for the Journey What God entrusts, He empowers you to steward. Walk in the assurance that honoring His ownership draws you deeper into His joy and positions you for faithful service until He returns. |
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