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I have always appreciated the sayings of Yogi Berra. They are philosophical and humorous at the same time. Here are a few of the ones attributed to him.

• When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
• It’s like déjà vu all over again.
• Baseball is 90 percent mental and the other half is physical.
• The future ain’t what it used to be.
• The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

That last one is my favorite. But just recently I heard someone say something in all sincerity that was very Yogi Berra-esque:  “I don’t know too many people that I don’t know.” Let that sink in.

Who do you know? You probably know a lot of people. Who knows you? Most likely a lot of folks know you. In my case, because of some of the positions in which I have served, a lot of people know who I am, but I don’t necessarily know all of them. Just as I know some people better than others, some people know me better than others. I feel closest to the one who has shared my life with me for almost 46 years now. But I don’t know everything about her and she doesn’t know everything about me. We still manage to surprise each other.

The one who knows me best is my Creator, my Savior, and my Sanctifier.

Psalm 139:15–16 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

There is nothing about me that God does not know. He knows all my faults and failures. He has seen all my sin and shortcomings. But He still loves me, so much that He did what was necessary to redeem me, to buy me back from sin and death, that I could be with Him forever. That was why Jesus went to the cross. He paid my penalty and then defeated death for me as well. Paul wrote about that confidence to a young pastor:

2 Timothy 1:11–12 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

While I know and believe that as well, I don’t know everything about God. I want to know Him more and more, which is why I read His Word and mediate on it. And I look forward to the time when I will be with Him.

1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

I want to know Him more.

One of the many executive orders President Donald Trump signed last Monday proclaimed that the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes, male and female.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

While we may applaud his action as affirming the truth of God’s Word, we must also be aware that there will be opposition to this. There are a lot of confused and hurting people out there. I know I was upset a few years ago when a biological male who identifies as a female won the national championship in the NCAA 500 meter freestyle. “What’s this world coming to?” But then I took a step back and asked myself whether or not I am looking at this person like Jesus would. Am I seeing him with the eyes of Jesus, someone that He loves and for whom He died?

I say “him” because that is the way God created. No one is denying this individual is a biological male. And Scripture tells us there are only two options. God declared everything He created good, and it was. Then man disobeyed Him and screwed it all up! Instead of living in harmony with God and according to His will, we think we know better and follow our sinful desires. He spoke about that after the flood when Noah offered a sacrifice to the Lord:

Genesis 8:21  “The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.”

We all have those evil inclinations. We have our individual proclivities for pet sins. The temptations themselves are not sin. Acting on them is. That is what happens when someone who is biologically male identifies as female, or a biological female identifies as male. They are identifying themselves according to their fallen, sinful nature.

In God’s sight, sin is sin. If a person acts upon a temptation to lie, it is sin. If a person acts upon a sinful desire to be homosexual, it is sin. If a person allows anger to control them, like Cain did when he killed Abel, it is sin. To say, “That is the way God made me” is inaccurate. To say “This is the way I have chosen to live” is the reality. You have identified yourself according to your desires, your sinful desires.

Jesus sees that in people. But He still loves them. So much so that He came down to earth to be their substitute, to pay for the sin of everyone so that we would not have to take that penalty. He wants everyone to be forgiven and saved from sin and death. He does not want anyone to continue to be controlled by the sinful nature or to identify themselves according to their sins. He has a better path.

Romans 6:6 “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

God wants you to be the new creature that finds your identity in Christ. Receive the forgiveness He offers freely, let Him control you. When you slip and fall, admit it, and be forgiven again. You get to identify yourself as a forgiven child of God that has been declared righteous. Faith in Jesus claims the benefit He earned and offers.

Matthew 25:34 “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”

You get that for free because Jesus paid your admission price. Recognize and live with your identity in Christ.

Philippians 1:21 For me to live is Christ

Mark 7:31–37 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Last week I went to see an audiologist. I had gone to one about five years ago who told me I had a slight loss of hearing in my right ear. She fitted me with a hearing aid which I tried for a few weeks. The main thing I was having trouble hearing was my wife, and the hearing aid did not change that, so I took it back. At my dear bride’s urging I agreed to have my ears checked again. I went to a different audiologist this time, the one I had taken my mother to see. The results were the same. She said my loss was only in the right ear, and it was so small that she would not recommend any hearing aids. She told Cheryl to speak louder, not say things when she was walking away or in another room. She told me to pay attention when Cheryl was speaking. We are both working on those things.

The audiologist had me follow up with an Ear, Nose and Throat guy, who told me my right eardrum was pulled in and sticking to some of the stuff in the middle ear. This was the result of me having had that eardrum rupture several times in my life, and there was not anything that could be done to change it. He gave the same advice: listen closely and encourage my wife to speak louder.

I think that was pretty sound advice (no pun intended). Scripture warns about those who are not paying attention when God speaks.

Hebrews 5:11 (ESV) About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Matthew 13:14–15  In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

Matthew, Mark and Acts all quote this passage from Isaiah 6:9. There will always be people who are not hearing what God has to say. As a result, they are missing out on the free gift of forgiveness and life and salvation that Jesus earned for everyone.

What can be done? The answer is twofold. Those of us who have this Good News in our lives have been entrusted with the task of sharing it. We need to make sure we are speaking it loudly and clearly so others can hear and understand what we are saying. That means we need to share the whole counsel of God. Too often, Christians come across as mean-spirited and condemning because they focus only on the Law, telling people how sinful they are. The Law must be shared, but it must be coupled with the Good News of what Jesus did for our forgiveness. This Gospel message needs to predominate in our speaking. It must be shared clearly.

The second part of the answer is that others need to pay attention and listen carefully to what we share. That is when the Holy Spirit will do His thing and work in their hearts so that they can see and hear and understand and believe.

Lord, help us to speak your Word clearly and enable those who need to hear it to pay attention. Amen.

John 2:1–11 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

Last Sunday the Gospel reading was the Wedding at Cana, where Jesus did His first sign, turning water into wine. As I was listening to the reading, I found myself wondering, “What kind of wine was it?” A little research revealed that the wine in Israel in Jesus’ day would most likely have been a full-bodied, sweet, red wine. Some might not consider that to be all that good. But the master of the banquet declares it to be the best wine. Did everyone think so?

I am by no means a connoisseur of wine. At one point my brother and his wife went to a class to learn how to taste wines and become more discriminating about them. I never did that. I may not know what good wine is by the standards of others, but I know what I like.

In this world, there are fine bottles of wine that cost thousands of dollare and wine by the box and everything in between. What is the finest of wines? How many are drinking “bad wine” and don’t know it?

In the context of Scripture, I would say we should follow the advice of the Psalmist.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Jesus revealed His glory by turning water into wine. But that was just the beginning. Greater things were coming. And what He offers is very good. He offered Himself as the payment for the sins of the world. He died to pay the penalty our sins demand. And then He conquered death so that all who trust in Him are guaranteed forgiveness and life forever with Him. Taste and see how good that is.

Isaiah 25:6-8 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.

The first 9 years Cheryl and I were married, we moved 9 times. Part of that time was spent in college and seminary and vicarage/internship, and then my first call to serve in Oklahoma. The ninth move brought us Sherman to the house in which we lived for 28+ years as I served as pastor of Grace Lutheran in Denison, Texas. It was a good home, the first one we had ever owned. There was an addition, then remodeling and many changes over the years.  We repaired storm damage and did all kinds of maintenance. I planted trees, built a patio, crawled through the attic running wires and cables, built shelves and cabinets and laid tile. There was an assortment of colors and coats of paint inside and out. A lot of our blood, sweat and tears were in that house.

Our family was raised here. It was our home. There were countless celebrations and gatherings held there during that time. We have lots of memories, both good and bad, from our time there. And we are truly grateful for all the blessings God has gave us in that place. But it all came to an end in April 2016.

We entered the next phase of this adventure of life here on earth together. Cheryl and I were ready to see what God had in store for us in the days ahead. We moved (for the tenth time) to temporary quarters on our property in Bells, Texas. We started building the home into which we would retire.

As we were going through that time, I was reminded of a hymn that I learned as a child and that still holds a special place in my heart. Here are two of the stanzas that I especially love:

I’m but a stranger here, Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear, Heaven is my home.
Danger and sorrow stand Round me on ev’ry hand;
Heaven is my fatherland, Heaven is my home.

There at my Savior’s side, Heaven is my home;
I shall be glorified, Heaven is my home.
There are the good and blest, Those I love most and best;
And there I, too, shall rest, Heaven is my home.

We have since built the log home of our dreams. Our kids and grandkids come and visit as often as possible. In retirement we have started traveling around the country like we hoped we would be able to do. We have also been able to make some international trips. We enjoy our journeys, but we still like coming home.

We don’t know what the future holds, but we know the one in control. What I am certain of is that heaven is my home. My Lord Jesus, who paid for the sins of the world (including mine) with His life and His death, said:

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am
going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). 

My spot is ready and waiting. I thank God for that assurance. Of course, there is a bit of anxiety that goes with that move, but in the end I try to say with St. Paul:

“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Philippians 1:23).

Until that day, I’ll keep enjoying the temporary quarters that I have here on earth.

A man came home to find a crisis in the house. His three-year-old daughter’s pet turtle had died. She was crying, and the man tried to remedy the situation. The offer of another turtle was rejected, since she already knew you could not simply replace living things like you could a toy. So he suggested a funeral. Since she did not know what a funeral was, he said it was a festival in honor of the turtle. She didn’t know what a festival was either, so he continued explaining until he said, “Actually, a funeral is like a birthday party. We’ll have cake and ice cream and lemonade and balloons, and all the children in the neighborhood will come over.” “All because the turtle died?” she asked. Success at last. Her tears began to dry. She was happy, even joyous at the prospect of what was going to happen. All because the turtle had died. The father was pleased with himself. He had argued his case successfully, and the party would remedy the situation. Then the unexpected happened. They looked down, and the turtle began to move again. He was not dead after all. In a matter of seconds, he was as lively as ever. The father didn’t know what to say. But the little girl did. She looked at the turtle, then her father, thought about what had been planned, and said, “Daddy, let’s kill it!”

That attitude is what many take to try to solve problems. It is the same way the he Jews in Jesus’ day tried to get rid of that popular new Rabbi from Nazareth. Death as a solution. The enemies of Jesus and the demons no doubt had a celebration of some kind when Jesus was killed. But Jesus rose again, and has now given those who believe in Him cause for constant rejoicing, celebration of life here on earth and anticipation of the everlasting life with Him in heaven. His death and resurrection give us the solution we need. We believe and wait for the day we will hear the loud voice from the throne saying:

Revelation 21:3-4 “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

From the perspective of faith, we can say Death is THE solution. Not our own death or the death of our enemies. Our death is the entry into another existence with God, but this is true only because the death of Jesus paid for sins, and His resurrection is our victory. Because of His death, and His resurrection, we have the solution we need.

Revelation 14:13 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

Our world today often looks at death as a solution.

• Palestinians and Israelis continue to retaliate by killing each other because of boundary disputes: Death as a solution.
• A young man is teased and bullied at school, so he walks in one day with a gun and starts shooting classmates: Death as a solution.
• A gang member sees his girlfriend talking to another boy, so a drive by shooting results in the death of both of them and a few bystanders: Death as a solution.
• A sniper disagrees with a political candidate so he attempts to shoot and kill him: Death as solution.

I guess we should not be too surprised. The first death recorded in the Bible was supposed to be a solution to a problem. The sons of Adam and Eve quarreled, and Cain tried to solved it by killing his brother. That attitude has continued through history. The Jews thought death was the solution to the problem of Jesus. He was a trouble-maker. He was stealing their followers: put Him to death. What they did not know is that they were playing right into God’s plan!

Years ago a teacher in our church preschool told me about her time teaching in another school when Good Friday fell on April 1. A little boy in her class ran up, played a trick on her, then ran away shouting “Good Friday! Good Friday!” I’m glad he got his holidays mixed up, because that story showed me something: The devil must have been rejoicing that Jesus was dead. Our Lord laughed and said, “Good Friday!” The Jews must have been satisfied with themselves, thinking they had resolved their problems: Jesus smiled and rose and chuckled “Good Friday!” The disciples were despairing: Jesus leapt into their midst and proclaimed “Good Friday!”

The Jews thought the death of Jesus was a solution, and it was, but not the way they thought. They were partially right. His death was part of God’s solution to the problem of your sin. But it was only part of the solution.

1 Cor 15:13-14 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

If His death was all there was, then, as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:19, you and I are the most pitied of all men. But there is more. Christ is alive. He has risen. He lives. He played the biggest prank of all time on the devil, the world and sin by bursting from the tomb and shouting not only “Good Friday” but also “The Day of Resurrection!” DEATH IS BEATEN! Jesus Lives! The victory’s won!

This world tries to make death the solution to their problems. What so many fail to see is that there has already been a death that provided the solution to all the problems you will ever encounter. And the reason the death of Jesus was that solution is because He not only died, but He also rose again. His victory is yours through faith. Because He lives, you will live also.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

A few more thoughts on this tomorrow.

A married couple had a huge fight, serious enough for the wife to storm out of the house, vowing never to return. On the back steps, she nearly trips over something she had never seen before — an Aladdin’s lamp. She picks it up, rubs it gently, and sure enough, a Genie pops out! He tells her that he will grant her three wishes, whatever her desire! Naturally, she is overjoyed. But the Genie cautions her: “I must tell you that whatever you get, your husband will get twice as much.” She is not thrilled about that, but agrees to the rules. The first thing she asked for is a million dollars and “Poof,” it lay at her feet. She leaps for joy, but the Genie reminds her that her husband just received 2 million in the house. “Are you sure you want to go on?” the Genie asks. Although a little less enthusiastic, she says, “I’d like a pile of diamonds three feet high!” Poof, again. Right next to the money was a pile of diamonds. “I don’t mean to dampen your fun, but your husband is sitting in his Lazy Boy recliner with two piles of diamonds. Maybe you’d like to forgo your third and final wish?” She thinks for a minute, and then she says, “No, I’ll take that last wish. What I want you to do … is scare me half to death!”

I think that story illustrates the state of our world. Many people look at death as a solution to problems. They think killing someone will make our world a better place. Does that sound right to you?

Most of us have gone through the agonizing experience of seeing loved ones die. Senator Hillary Clinton gave a speech at the University of Texas a number of years ago, while she was still the First Lady. It was the day before her own father died. In that speech, she said, “When does life start? When does life end? Who makes those decisions? How do we dare infringe upon these areas of such delicate, difficult questions? … These are not issues that we have guidebooks about.”

I find it ironic that the person who made that statement is a staunch supporter of abortion. Those who identify themselves as “Pro-Choice” maintain that if the child is not wanted by the mother, death is the solution. They have no problem infringing on that delicate question and making a decision.

The most troubling thing about that quote from Mrs. Clinton for me is the last part: “These are not issues that we have guidebooks about.” Oh, Really? Her husband once popularized the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Maybe it would be best to answer her the same way: “No guidebook? IT’S THE BIBLE, STUPID!” This is where God tells us that He has given life for death, that Christ has been raised from the dead, that those who put their confidence in Him will live, that Jesus has destroyed death, that death is not the solution! The Bible is where God tells us that life is the solution He has given. Consider these passages.

John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

2 Timothy 1:10 but it [the grace of God] has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

I will continue my thoughts on this tomorrow.

Stuff appears on my calendar that I have never heard of. The most recent was “National Use Your Gift Card Day.”  The third Saturday of January is the day you are encouraged to use the gift cards you received for Christmas if you have not already done so.  It was started in 2020 by Tracy Tilson. She discovered that nearly $100 billion per year is spent on holiday gift cards, but as much as 3% of the cards will never get redeemed. So she promoted the idea and it gained traction in the retail industry, with major chains supporting the holiday.

Can you imagine someone getting a gift card and not using it? People do it all the time. And sadly, the same is true for so many people when it comes the to gift God offers.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In confirmation class, I often used this illustration that went something like this. Imagine if I were to take out a wad of $100 bills right now and place one in front of each and every one of you. I would tell you that is yours. It is a gift from me. You didn’t earn it. It is something I am giving you. At the end of class, some of you pick up the $100 bill and take it with you. Others leave it sitting on the table. Some of those who took the money home stuck it in a drawer and forgot about it. Others actually spent the money. So who got the benefit of the offer? Who missed out? Would it make sense to leave it on the table? Or take it but not use it? Why would you not take advantage of that gift? Yet that is exactly what most of the world does with the gift God gave them in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8–9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

People will hear the message that God let Jesus die for the sins of the world, and that you get the benefit of what He earned by believing in Him. But they reject it, they say it is fantasy, or they say it is too easy and too good to be true. The offer is there from God, there for the taking. But they leave it on the table.

You have received the greatest “gift card” you could ever hope to get. A “get out of hell free” card, a “get into heaven free” card. All because of what Jesus did for you. Don’t forget to use your gift card.

I just remembered that Cheryl and I got a gift card for Dairy Queen for Christmas. We will be using that today.

Psalm 103:1-8 (RSV) Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love.

A man walked up to his pastor and said, “I can understand ‘God bless me,’ but how can I bless God? What does it mean when we sing ‘Oh bless the Lord my soul?’” The pastor asked the man, “Do you have any children?” “Yes,” he replied, “a boy who is five and a girl who is six.” “Do they give you Christmas presents?” “Sure,” he replied. “Where do they get the money?” He laughed and said, “I give it to them.” “That’s exactly it,” the preacher answered. “You pay for the Christmas presents your children give you. You watch them plan and whisper their secrets and get excited at the prospect of surprising Daddy. Then on Christmas they come and say ‘Daddy, here is a blessing for you.’ It came from you, but it was a blessing because it came back with their love.”

Maybe that is how we should think of Stewardship: Blessing God. Christian stewards/managers want to  “bless” Him with our entire being, declaring our praise and thanks. That is why many of the newer translations say “Praise” instead of bless in this Psalm, but the Word is the same one that speaks of God giving to us. When it is addressed to God, though, it is understood in the sense of blessing Him with what He has first given to us. I try to make that my understanding of stewardship. All too often it gets reduced to talk about money, which is a disservice to what stewardship should be.

Did you hear about the little boy who saw the offering plate coming down the aisle, so he pulled off his clip-on tie and put it in the collection plate? His mother asked him why he did that and he said, “The pastor is always talking about giving you ties and offerings.”

As amusing as that may be, the little guy had the heart of wanting to give from what had been given to him. That is the heart of a Christian steward. God does not ask you to bless Him with anything He has not first given to you.

I remember a time I was repairing a section of fence around my back yard. I had to dig 8 new holes for fence posts. I was using an old, manual post hole digger. The clay in our yard resembled concrete and it took several days to dig those holes. After I had dug one or two, Cheryl saw how hard I was working, brought me a drink and asked, “Don’t they have something you can rent to do this.” My reply was, “Yeah, but right now I have more time than I do money.” As I thought about that later, I wondered how my complaints to God about finances compared to the thanks I had given Him for the abundance of time I had. Should I not be blessing the Lord with the things He has given to me? Shouldn’t we all?

That is what we should all consider when we think of our stewardship. What has God given you that you can use for Him? What talents and abilities has God given that you can use to bless His holy name? Everything you have comes from the one who owns it all and freely gives it to you. And if that were not enough reason to give back to Him, the Psalmist puts it in perspective.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy… 

That is what God has done for each of you in sending Jesus Christ into this world. The death of Christ in your place and His resurrection from the dead forgives your iniquity, heals your diseases, redeems your life from he pit and gives you the crown of life.  Your faith in Jesus assures you of these blessings. The proper response is Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

May that be your understanding of Christian Stewardship.