Counting the costs...

One of the things that frustrates me about the modern day church is that we teach a self help gospel. Many sermons tend to center around what we should do if we want God to bless us. I've heard dozens of sermons on  how to mange your finances, manage your relationships, manage this or manage that. We are taught that we are the managers.

If we are the managers, then what role does God play in our lives?

The Bible teaches stewardship. We are taking care of something that belongs to someone else. A lot of times, we get twisted and think that we are managing things that belong to us! Let's explore this in the Bible for a second.

“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?  Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you." Luke 14:28-29

Of course, in context, Jesus was talking about counting the costs of what it would cost to serve him and not conducting business. But... even when it comes to serving God, we don't have that under control either. God  Himself knows this which is why he promised to send us "The Comforter" - His Holy Spirit which resides in us to help us.

But... even if we were talking about building a house, Hebrews 3:4 says:

 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Let's spend a moment today and look at the things that we try to control and recognize where we might be wrestling against God who has a plan and a direction for our lives. When it all comes down to it, I would rather be in a shack that God put together for me than a mansion that I put together by myself. I know that's hard to believe... but you've never seen me use a hammer. I've seen the magnificence of the world that God put together.