The current estimated jackpot for one of the lotteries is now around $253Million. Ever thought about what you could do with $253Million? I have. In fact, I thought about it Saturday morning when I discovered that our washer is leaking. Of course, this was while Bob was out replacing the key for the Jeep (one of those electronic keys that costs around $200). It needed replacing because he ran over his with the lawnmower. We just replaced the dryer. It seems like the drain on the finances never ends. Oh, and the house payment went up because the value went up which caused the insurance and taxes to go up. Humm, $253Million?
I guess though you actually have to play the lottery to win the lottery. At least that is what I have heard. And since I don’t play, I guess I’m not going to be a winner.
Winners of big jackpots don’t always come out winners anyway. Often those who win the most, lose the most. They squander it all and end up bankrupt. Just because you have everything is no guarantee that you will use it wisely.
One of God’s basic principles is stewardship. Stewardship is defined as the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that we already have everything we need for life and godliness. “[God’s] divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
How we value it, how we wisely and carefully manage is vital. Wise stewardship of all God has given will enable us to “participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” [2 Peter 1:4]
God’s left nothing out. He’s given us everything we need. But just like those lottery winners who are given more than enough – everything they can possibly need can be purchased with that jackpot – we can end up squandering it all instead of using it wisely.
