It’s Just My Gift

by Darla Noble

But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day.

Deuteronomy 8:18

Pete was a quiet and simple man. The youngest of seven and having lost his father when he was only seven, Pete had grown up quickly; working with his older brothers to help their mother keep the farm going so they would have food to eat and a roof over their heads. Pete enjoyed it, though. It came naturally to him—especially gardening. By the time Pete was sixteen he had figured out how to graft fruit trees together to come up with an entirely different kind of apple. Not bad for a boy with only an eighth grade education and working on his own!

Throughout his lifetime people complimented Pete and his wife on the produce they raised in their garden, the flowerbeds scattered around the front lawn of their little farm, and the small orchard filled with Pete’s one-of-a-kind trees. Being the humble and somewhat shy man that he was, Pete always expressed thanks for the kind words. But his thanks were always followed by the statement, “It’s just my gift from the Good LORD—His way of sharing His treasures with me.”

Everything on earth belongs to the LORD. It is His because He is the master and ruler of the universe. But because of His tremendous love for us, He shares His treasures; extending to us the privilege and honor of caring for them and enjoying the pleasures they can bring. So be a good borrower. Take care of the things God trusts you to manage for Him so that you can receive the blessings He wants to give you for a job well done.

Pray: Father in heaven, thank you for the material blessings You provide for me each day. Please help me remember these things are Yours and help me to honor You in the way I care for them. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.