Free Lunch and Dessert

DAY 3: THE OWNER’S PRIVILEGE

Now that we understand that our focus should be on the Giver of all gifts, instead of on the mortal receivers, we should further consider God’s position in this equation. The fact that He is the One who gives us the gifts that we are so reluctant to accept, implies His ownership of them. Only the rightful owner of anything may decide to give it away. “For all the animals of the forest are Mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is Mine, and everything in it” (Psalms 50:10-13, NLT).

In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar learns this lesson the hard way. Within a period of 12 months, he moved from admiring his kingdom from the balcony of his luxurious, prosperous palace, to living in the fields with the animals, eating crass like a cow. Measuring himself by the greatness of the gifts bestowed on him, ended in meeting their rightful owner face to face. “You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone He chooses” (Daniel 4:32, NLT).

When we realize that it is God’s privilege to give whatever He owns to whomever He chooses, we think twice before questioning his motives. Who are we to question God about the gifts that He decides to give us? It is his property to do with as He pleases. Whether the gifts seem too generous or too little, we become stewards of it when it is bestowed unto us.

Let us honor the wishes of the rightful Owner of everything we receive by trusting that God knows best what to give His children.

Scripture readings:

Psalms 50:10-13

Daniel 4:28-37