'Owner or Steward'

S – 1 Chronicles 21: 3

 

‘But Joab replied ‘May the Lord multiply his troops a hundred times over – my lord the King are they not all my Lords subjects? – Why does my Lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?

 

O – Joab asks David three important questions – these three questions were directed to his proposed actions which eventually brought the three options of consequence from the Lord. David no doubt thought his motivation to census the troops was a strategic one. Yet Joab saw that these three actions were wrong both in his motivation and how they would be viewed before the Lord. Maybe David’s action was prompted by fear, insecurity a sense of his own confidence in the physical nos. around him. Joab questions though nailed the issue. David appears to have assumed ownership of the men, their resources and abilities, rather than see himself as a steward of what belonged to the Lord. Joab sees this and tries to warn him, knowing that it would have consequences on the Nation.

 

A – There is a subtle but nonetheless consequential line in crossing the difference between being a faithful steward and an owner. I can never forget that the things entrusted to me belong to the lord and I am responsible to Steward and to take or assume ownership. David in his action took the fighting men out of God’s hands and in doing so removed them from God’s blessing and power. When I take ownership I then replace what God is able to do with my own weakness and limitation. What belongs to the Lord he blesses and protects. When I take ownership in attitude, language and actions I move from being a steward to an owner.

 

P – Lord, forgive me when I default to thinking and behaving as an owner of the things entrusted to me. Everything belongs to you – let me only put my hand to it as an entrusted steward.