Like many development communities around the country, The Cliffs is undergoing some financial stress due to the economic downturn and credit crunch. This has led to much uncertainty and accompanying anxiety among the residents and club members. Its interesting to see the reactions of those who have much of their life's savings in their home and club membership. There are those who are cynical of everyone who offers a solution. These believe everyone "out there" is after their "pile." They are cynical because they believe people in power will ultimately act in their own self interest when decisions are made. But more importantly, this cynicism is based on the notion of who owns the "pile". This belief goes to the heart of stewardship.
The carnal mind believes that what we have accumulated belongs to us. This notion assumes we "possess" things. If we believe we own things and it has been us who has worked to accumulate them, then we will see others as predators of our "pile." These people are angry and suspicious and are destroying relationships with friends and neighbors. This is the same mind set we see in many elderly people as they approach death. They start seeing others, especially their kids, as predators to their "pile," and family relationships become strained.
The Kingdom mind starts with the notion that God owns all things, they flow to us from God's Grace, and what we have has been given to us to caretake for God as He directs us. Instead of "possessing", we are stewards. We don't own anything. We move His things around as He pleases. This keeps our hands open and out-reaching and results in more of an "easy come, easy go" mindset that allows us freedom from the bondage of our stuff. Relationships are enhanced, not strained.
Isn't that what God desires of us anyway? Something to ponder ....
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