Dad's Corner

Dad's Corner by Bill Stephens

The Seen and the Unseen

Last month I shared the scripture from Luke 16:9-11 about the unrighteous steward. I ended with passage where Jesus says in verse 11, "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?" The next verse is very interesting. Jesus says in verse 12, "And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" There seems to be a direct correlation between "unrighteous wealth" and "that which is another's." As well, there seems to be a correlation between "true riches" and "that which is your own."

The question then is, "What is it that I have which is not my own. And, what are the true riches which will be my own?" I have to conclude that the things given to me by God, now and in the future, are the things I cannot see but exist in the realm of faith. My new birth, my relationship with Jesus, my future home in the heavens-theses are the things which are eternal and can never be taken away. These are the true riches of which are mine to possess. I prove my faithfulness to inherit these true riches by how I take care of the things which are not mine. Those things which are not mine are the things that I can experience with my six senses. My body, my health, my possessions, my bank account, my relationships, and the air I breathe. These are the things that I do not own but are only on loan from God.

I am a big fan of the show "The Apprentice". Last weeks episode had Mr. Trump flying a group of contestants in a helicopter showing them the Manhattan skyline. As they flew over the tall buildings he pointed to the ones that he owned. The enormous power that this one man has is amazing. The one thing he doesn't seem to realize is that he really doesn't own those buildings. They belong to God to be used for His purposes. Donald Trump can lose everything tomorrow and then what can be said of the man? Does he possess the true riches which he can call his own?

It is from this perspective that we must live our lives and raise our children. We need to see that our children are a gift and that we are to be faithful to raise them according to God's standard. God has entrusted us with a wife to treat with love and respect. If our children understand that their bodies do not really belong to them but instead to God, they will act with greater integrity. As they mature they will understand financial stewardship. As they getter older they will grow to appreciate the air they breathe and the life they live as being on loan from God for some divine purpose.