God Is the Owner

Scripture – Mark 12:1-6: ¹He then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. ²At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. ³But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. ⁵He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. ⁶“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

Reflection: The foundational truth of all stewardship is this: God is the owner. Literally, every thing and every person belongs to Him. God has entrusted some of what He owns to my care. He’s asked me to manage His stuff on His behalf.

The trouble comes when I start thinking things are mine. I start thinking of what I own, what I have, what makes up my stuff. Then I start hanging on to it and protecting it. Then when the Owner sends someone to collect some of what belongs to Him, I tighten my grip.

I will loosen my grip. I’ll hold on lightly to the things God has entrusted to me.

Lord, I know there’s a deeper level to this parable, one that’s especially evident in this Holy Week. At the same time, I keep learning there are no rules when it comes to being open to your word. You continue to speak, sometimes in surprising ways. Thank you for this lesson today.