We see in the book of Genesis 1:27-30, that God created man (male and female) in His own image; He blessed them to be fruitful, multiply and to have dominion. Through this we become aware of God’s blueprint and design for man and how God actually called them to be good managers and stewards of what He has given to them.
Throughout the Old Testament we find many examples of men and woman that struggled to be good managers of that what belongs to God.
In the book of 2 Chron 28:22-25, we learn of a King called Ahaz. Ahaz was the king of Judah but he became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord, as we see in verse 22. He sacrificed to other gods, made ruins of the temple of the Lord, and had neither honor nor fear for the will and design of God. It says in verse 23 that his actions and decisions had a great negative effect of ruin on himself and even all the nation of Israel.
After his death Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz became king of Judah. When we read 2 Chron 29:3-6 we find that Hezekiah was a man who wanted to restore the order of God in the nation and he soon restored the temple, the worship and ministry of the priests in the temple, as well as commanding the nation to return to God and get their priorities right before God, thus obeying God’s order and commands. Later on we see how God blessed the people because His will and order was restored in the land. (see 2 Chron 31:10).
What a beautiful picture of a man using the influence and authority he has to restore the order according to God’s Word and witnessing the fruit of a blessed nation and people.
In the New Testament we see that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus (John 3:3), and mentioned rebirth as a requirement to be able to see the kingdom of God. The reality is that in the Old Testament very few of the great stories ended well because of the wickedness of man’s heart. Therefore Jesus says that something new needs to be born, you need to be born again, born from above, born from the Spirit, receiving the work of Jesus in faith. The Bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 that there is new life in Christ and that He became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. What an amazing grace we received at the cross of Calvary because of
God’s commitment and love towards human mankind, and our response towards that love.
With all of this being said, Jesus puts an emphasis for us on being committed and honouring His work and Word in our lives as children of God. Jesus reveals that a man and woman need to be born again but also to be completely committed and devoted to Him and His kingdom.
To mention a few texts:
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
“Seek” means to desire. To desire His will and His design for your life in every area of your life. “First” means to firstly, not secondly or last on the agenda. To be faithful with what God has given you to manage all that you have, including your life.
Jesus made it evident that God is very serious about our commitment towards Him.
Matthew 10:37-39 NKJV
[37] He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. [38] And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. [39] He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
A parallel scripture in Luk 14:26 even uses the English word “hate”, meaning that we have to “love less” when it comes to things other than God. (The word in the Greek is used for scenarios to “detest something” or to “love less”)
In the above-mentioned texts from scripture we see that Jesus invites us to love and prioritise Him above anything or anyone in our lives. While we honor all relationships and honor father and mother as Jesus commanded us, He wants us to know how serious He is about us.
How easy it is to allow our attention to move to worldly things and rushing through life, prioritising time, work, children, spouses, family, hobbies or whatever can be mentioned, above the priority of God and His Kingdom.
It all comes down to the condition of our hearts. Jesus said that your heart will be where your treasure is (Mat 6:21), therefore make sure that your heart and your treasure (the focus of your daily life) is wholeheartedly devoted to Him and His kingdom, His Word and His design with your existence.
For our spiritual hearts to prosper we need to be all in, and to seek His truth in the Spirit!!
Remember, you are a manager of what belongs to Him.
Some practical keys to apply in your life:
These are a few examples of where your management and prioritising is needed on a daily basis:
Your Mind:
Keep your mind stayed on Him and you will have perfect peace. (see Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)
Your Household:
Your household wait for you to be a Godly husband, wife, father, mother or child, and manager.
(See Joshua 24:15)
Your Actions
Do what the Word of God says and follow the example of Christ. Have a teachable spirit and learn from your Godly leaders. (See Philippians 4:8-9)
Your Workplace or School
Do everything as unto the Lord. God is your promotion. (See Col 3:23-24)
Your Relationships
Bear with each other in LOVE (Col 3:12-14), and Keep the unity. (Eph 4:3)
Your Influence
Remember that you have a certain amount of influence in society. Use it for the Kingdom of God because you got it from Him in the first place. (See 1 Corinthians 4:7 )
Possessions and finances
You are a steward and manager of what belongs to God. Everything we own belongs to God, but He entrusts it to your stewardship.
So Honour God with everything, be generous and have a heart for the work of the kingdom of God (See Proverbs 3:9-10).
Your Dreams
Ask the Lord to put His dreams in your heart, so that your dream for your life will be His dream for your life.
His dreams is greater for you (Eph 3:20). (By André Nel)
Kingdom News: Prioritising God’s Kingdom first will produce Kingdom results
Bo: Andre en Nadia Nel van Kingdom Culture is ’n dinamiese paartjie wat elke Sondag bedien by die Oudtshoorn Ostrich Emporium vanaf 17:00. Foto verskaf