FULLTANK 3074: The Borrower Who Acts Like the Owner

0:00The fastest way to poison your life is to believe you all with your only borrowed. One day, Jigs, not his real name, called me and asked, Brother Bo, can I borrow your guitar? I said, sure, pick it up in my house. Jigs was one of our musicians in our prayer meeting. He came from a troubled past, trapped in many vices. But I was happy he was trying to change his ways. Jigs came over and promised to return it in a week. That was the last time I ever saw my guitar. More than a year later, I saw him in a restaurant. I knew he saw me, but he was trying to avoid my gaze. Before leaving, I walked up to him and I said, Hi, he stood up, faced me and broke down. He said, I'm so sorry, Brother Bo. I sold your guitar for 1,000 pesos.

1:031,000? I bought back for 12,000. This happened way back in the 1990s. That would be worth probably 70,000 pesos in today's prices. Jigs confessed that he got back into drugs and started stealing to support his drug use. I felt hurt because he betrayed my trust but my pity for him was greater. I prayed over him and told him to get back and to rehab, asap. When I went home, I continued to pray for him. But I also recalled how much I loved that guitar. It was my dream guitar. I saved up for it for a long time and now it was gone. Why? Because the borrower acted like the owner. I share this story because we all act like Jigs. In reality, we are all borrowers. Everything we own belongs to God.

2:03It's preposterous to think that we can do what we want to do with our wealth or our resources. We justify it and we say, Hey, I earned this with my own sweat. Question, who gave us the ability to sweat in a sense like Jigs were taking drugs too. The drug of materialism. And this is exactly what Jesus exposes in today's gospel. In our gospel today, God is the landowner. He built a vineyard, fenced it, protected it, prepared everything and then entrusted it to tenants. But the tenants developed a dangerous disease and entitlement. They stopped thinking we are stewards. No, they started thinking we are owners. So in the owner sense servants to collect the fruit, the tenants attack them. Then the owner sent his son and they killed him. Why such violence?

3:04Because entitlement turns blessings into weapons. Once you believe, this is mine. Anyone who challenges you becomes your enemy. A spouse who questions your spending, a parent who corrects you, a leader who calls you to accountability, even God's word that convicts you. Here's the spirit we'll punchline. When you act like an owner, you will always end up defensive, anxious, controlling. Because deep inside, you're afraid someone will take away what you think is yours. But when you live like a steward, you become peaceful and generous. Because you know everything is a gift. Friend, God didn't bless you so you could grip tighter. God blessed you so you can bear fruit. So today, let's do something simple,

4:04but powerful and beautiful. Open your hands and tell God, Lord, it's all yours. My money, my career, my talent, my family, my time, my future. I'm not the owner. I'm a steward. Teach me to be faithful. Because the opposite of entitlement is not poverty, it's gratitude and gratitude always produces fruit. Here's my question and I want you to write it down in the comments. In what area are you most tempted to act like an owner instead of a steward? Is it in the area of money, in the area of your time, in the area of your work, in the area of your relationships or talents and another thing? Please write it down. What is the one fruit you want to offer back to God this week? Before we pray, can I talk to parents? If you're a parent looking for a learning environment

5:06that forms not just smart kids, but grateful, responsible, value-centered kids, check out homeschooling. Yes, be curious about this strange thing. Visit our Facebook page, CFA Homeschool and message us when our next orientation will be. We'd love to walk with your family on your homeschooling journey. Come let us pray. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Father, forgive me for the times I act like an owner instead of a steward. I pray that you would replace the spirit of entitlement with the spirit of humility and gratitude and generosity. Lord God, I turn over to you and place in your big hands all the resources that you have given to me. My treasure, my time, and my talent all belong to you. Tell me Lord, how you want me to use it

6:07for your honor and glory. And I'm praying this in Jesus' mighty name in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Once again, parents, to know more about homeschooling, visit our Facebook page, CFA Homeschool. We're giving an orientation soon, message that Facebook page and ask when the next orientation session will be. God bless you and I will see you tomorrow. Hey, thank you so much for being part of this podcast by listening, by subscribing, and by commenting, and sharing this podcast to your friends. It will make our work grow and God's love will spread to many more people. You can also click that link that says buy me coffee if you want to support our work of love. We do a lot of work that is sending out missionaries, helping the poorest of the poor,

7:08sharing God's love to young people. Maraming, maraming salamat for your support and for your kindness. God bless you more. God reward you for your generosity.