The Power Of Agreement Is A Smart Investment Series

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you will have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two brothers along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witness.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:15 - 20

Samuel Morse, inventor of the telegraph and the Morse Code, was a dedicated Christian and a renowned university professor. History testifies that he always prayed for the Lord to give him more light and understanding as he conducted his experiments in the laboratory. He said, “When flattering honors came to me in my inventions, I never felt I deserved them. I had made a valuable application of electricity, not because I was superior to other men, but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and was pleased to reveal it to me.” (1)

Morse’s words remind us of the truth that one of our life messages is, “Life is a gift to be stewarded.” As Rick Warren says, “Life is a test, trust and temporary assignment.”(2) Do you know that everything you have, starting with your breath and moving to relationships, resources, intelligence, and a long list that could never be exhausted, are all gifts from God? He is asking you to personally represent His interests.

How do we do that? Through the care and management of all we are and all we possess. Morse realized that he had nothing to do with the invention of electricity. He was God’s choice servant to introduce it to mankind, and he would be the initial caregiver and manager of that introduction. Is there anything that God wants to introduce into your world of influence like He did with Samuel Morse?

Everyday God loans His creation plan of redemption to us for our enjoyment. Long before mankind was created God owned it, and He still does. When God wants to express His generosity, He releases a portion of His creation to us as a sacred trust. This was so from the beginning. God’s initial instruction to Adam and Eve was, “I own everything, but I want you to be the guardian and trustee.”

“God blessed them and said, ‘Have many children, so that your descendants will live over the earth and bring it under control. I am putting you in charge.’” (Genesis 1:28 TEV)

As a state-appointed guardian for my younger brother Phil, I am legally responsible for his health care, housing, finances, and even the decision if he should marry. On top of that is added the responsibility to decide if he can vote and what should happen if life support issues were ever raised. I truly am my brother’s keeper. You are the keeper of your Heavenly Father’s creation. This is exactly what God had in mind when he placed the initial dominion of the earth under Adam and Eve’s care.

“Those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust.” (1 Corinthians 4:2 NCV)

Have you accepted your assignment from God to be His steward, or are you only interested in pulling off your own thing? Decide today: live for God or live for yourself.

Let me help you! Don’t you realize that there is nothing you have that hasn’t come from God? Everything you have comes from Him!

“What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own.” (1 Corinthians 4:7bNLT)

From the time my kids were little I would tell them at least once a week, “Your mom and I are very thankful that God loved us so much that He designed and selected you for our family.” Talk about something that will build a kid’s self esteem!

Some of you need to know that your kids are a blessing not a burden. After just coming from round 5 of a family feud on the way to church, you may have to take this by faith; your kids are your greatest heritage. In fact, I think if my life were to suddenly end, my greatest legacy would be these four children God has asked me to raise on His behalf. I have never recovered from that thought.