Garage Sale Day!

Today is Garage Sale Day in our complex.  We were out at 6:30 am putting out the "Stuff" we no longer used, wanted or needed.  As I am looking around at all the "Stuff" we have acquired over the years, I am saddened at what a glutton I am for "Things".  I have been such a bad Steward of Gods things.  I have wasted so much money on things, that should have been spent on God's work.  If I would have given my money I wasted on "Things" to a charity, just think of all the good that could have been done.  Instead, I have a bunch of "Things" that are all dusty and taking up space in our garage, closets and floors.

I know that God is teaching me to be a better Steward with what He has blessed me with.  I have decided to:

• No longer make purchases with credit cards
• Not buy things for emotional reasons.  If I feel the need to buy something new to satisfy a "need" than I will pray instead.
• I will no longer toss my stuff around, I will take good care of what I have so I do not have to replace it.

I love the Lord with all of my heart, mind and soul.  I will be a good steward with what He has blessed me with.

From Adam to Noah, the Adam and Eve Family Tree

In Genesis 5 we are given Adam and Eve's family tree: from Adam to Noah.  At the beginning of the chapter in verses 1-3 it tells us that God created mankind in His likeness, male and female and blessed them.  It also says he named them "Mankind".  I like that.  It tells me we did not come from ape, fish or single sell animals, we where created by God in His image as "Mankind"!  That just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, knowing that God created me in His image.  He wanted me to be like Him.  Wow have i failed.  Well it was that first sin that put the "kabosh" on everything.  Once Adam and Eve where cast out of the Garden, mankind did not have a chance to be in the likeness of God.  But God in His Mercy, found a way that we can once more enter into His presence, through the blood of His son Jesus. 

The rest of Genesis 5 lists Adams lineage from himself to Noah and Noah's sons Shem, Ham and Japheth.  It is wonderful to hear in verses 22-24 that Enoch walked faithfully with God for 300 years; then he was no more, because God took him away.  It seems Enoch only lived 365 years about a third of the time of his ancestors, but the Bible makes a point to tell us that he "Walked faithfully with God".  Wow if only I could walk faithfully with God for 20, 30 or 40 year; but 300 years, not that is FAITH!

We are all a Miracle

After reading the first four chapters of Genesis, I have learned that God is a miracle worker.  From nothing He created the world, from that He created the animals of the land, the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea.  From dirt he created Man in HIS IMAGE!  He did all of that in 6 days, how can we ever doubt that He can not do more today?

In my life I have seen the Miracles of God.  I have been shot at but not killed, I have been sick, but did not die, I have been broke, but not out on the streets.  I have been given more than I deserve from God, I can only be thankful for everything He has done in my life.

Abel the First Steward of God's Belongings

Cain kills his brother Abel out of jealousy!

In Genesis 4 we are introduced to Adam and Eves two children Cain and Able.  In verse 4 we learn about Abel's offering to the Lord: " But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.  The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering"  Abel loved the Lord with all of his heart, soul and mind.  He wanted to give back to God the best of what he had.  Even then Abel did not feel that his offering was worth all that God had provided for him. 

What an awesome example of stewardship Abel was.  He carried his offering, the fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.  He gave to the Lord the best of what God had given to him.  I need to ask myself daily,  "Am I giving my best to the Lord?"  I do not think it is just money that God wants from us.  He does not need our money, he already owns everything.  What I think God really wants from us is our best talents, behaviors, and work for Him.  He wants us to glorify Him in all we do.  Yes it is important to give to our churches and charities to see that Gods work is funded, but God also wants our heats.  He wants us to give our time, our talents and our love to Him.  I believe that a good steward not only gives money to his church, but volunteers to work for the Lord, sets and example of how to be one of Gods children at work, to make sure that all we do is because of our love of God.

This week I am going to make it a priority to think before I act, to make sure that I am working for God in all I do.  I need to find a way to donate my time to my church.  I am right now making a goal to find a ministry at church that I can give of myself to Gods work.

Related articles

• Bible study Genesis 4 - Cain and Abel
• Cain and Abel
• Abel the first good steward of God's things