June 13
Stewardship of
God’s Gifts
“But remember the Lord your God. He gives you the ability to produce wealth. That’s how he keeps the covenant he made with your people long ago. And he has still faithful to it today.”
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIrV)
Adrian wasn’t what anyone would call “organized.” His apartment was always in disarray—clothes littered the floor, unwashed dishes piled up in the sink, and his furniture bore the scars of neglect: scratches on the coffee table, a sofa sagging from years of misuse. If something broke, it stayed broken.
“I’ll get to it later,” he’d say, but later never came. His friends teased him about his messy habits, but Adrian shrugged it off. “It’s just stuff,” he’d reply. “What does it matter?”
One evening, Adrian’s parents came over for dinner. His mom, ever practical, glanced around the apartment and sighed. “Adrian, you’ve been blessed with so much. But it’s like you don’t even care.”
That comment stuck with Adrian, though he tried to shake it off. Later that week, as he searched for his favorite shirt in the sea of laundry, he noticed a tear in the fabric. It was ruined. He’d left it crumpled on the floor for weeks, and now it was beyond repair. A pang of regret hit him.
The next Sunday at church, the pastor preached on Deuteronomy 8:18, reminding the congregation that everything they had—skills, possessions, and opportunities—came from God. Adrian listened intently as the pastor said, “When we care for what God has given us, we honor Him. Neglect shows ingratitude. Stewardship reflects our trust in God’s provision.”
Adrian’s mind raced. He thought about the clothes he’d ruined, the scratched-up furniture, and the countless things he’d left to fall apart. For the first time, he realized his mom was right—he had been ungrateful. God had blessed him with so much, but instead of appreciating and caring for it, he’d taken it all for granted.
That evening, Adrian stood in his apartment, surveying the mess with fresh eyes. He prayed aloud, “Lord, I’m sorry for neglecting the gifts You’ve given me. Help me to take care of what I have and use it to honor You.”
It didn’t all change overnight, but Adrian started small. He cleaned his apartment, washed his clothes, and repaired the broken shelf in the living room. He even found a new appreciation for the things he owned. The act of caring for them made him feel more connected to God’s blessings.
Over time, Adrian’s habits changed. He still wasn’t perfect—there were days when laundry piled up—but his heart was different. He began to see everything he owned as a gift from God, worthy of care and gratitude.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank You for every blessing You’ve given us, from the roof over our heads to the clothes we wear.
Forgive us for the times we’ve taken Your gifts for granted.
Teach us to be good stewards of all that You’ve entrusted to us.
Like Adrian, help us to see our possessions as blessings and care for them in a way that honors You.
May our actions reflect our gratitude and faithfulness to You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
