How should the division of land in Joshua 16:9 influence our view of stewardship? Setting the Scene: Joshua 16:9 “Along with the cities set apart for the descendants of Ephraim that were among the inheritance of Manasseh, all these cities with their villages.” Land as a Gift, Not a Possession • The verse records Ephraim receiving specific cities located inside Manasseh’s territory. • Though the land was assigned to tribes, it always belonged to the LORD (Leviticus 25:23; Psalm 24:1). • The detailed allotment underlines God’s sovereign right to distribute resources as He wills. Stewardship Principles Drawn from Ephraim’s Allotments • Precision matters – God listed boundaries and cities meticulously (Joshua 13–21). – Careful record-keeping honors the Giver and guards against dispute. • Shared spaces require cooperation – Ephraim’s cities sat within Manasseh’s borders, calling both tribes to mutual respect and wise management. – Stewardship is never isolated; it affects neighbors and future generations (Philippians 2:4). • Accountability is assumed – Each tribe was expected to cultivate, protect, and inhabit its portion (Joshua 17:14-18). – Likewise, “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). • Inheritance points to purpose – Land enabled worship (cities of refuge, Levitical towns), agriculture, and community life (Deuteronomy 6:10-12). – Our resources are tools for advancing God’s kingdom, not monuments to personal success. Practical Takeaways for Today • Keep clear, honest accounts of what God entrusts to you—time, finances, abilities. • Seek cooperative stewardship: family budgets, church facilities, workplace resources. • View every asset as temporarily held for the Owner; hold it with open hands. • Invest in what outlasts you—people, discipleship, gospel outreach—mirroring the tribes who settled land for generations to come (Proverbs 13:22). • Expect evaluation. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) echoes Joshua’s allotments: specific gifts, clear expectations, and a coming assessment. Encouragement to Faithful Management God’s careful division of Canaan assures us He is equally intentional with our lives. The same Lord who assigned Ephraim’s cities entrusts resources to us today. Steward them gratefully, wisely, and boldly, knowing “from Him and through Him and to Him are all things” (Romans 11:36). |
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