As a student of history, I realize I live in a time and place of extraordinary blessing. Most people in developed countries today enjoy greater comfort, convenience, and security than the kings of Europe did just a few centuries ago. As an American in the 21st century, I benefit daily from instant communication, advanced medicine, indoor plumbing, climate control, education, and global travel—luxuries that even royalty of the past could not have imagined. My income as a Case Manager, though modest by U.S. standards (equivalent to a teacher’s salary), places me among the global elite. In fact, if I earn more than $34,000 a year, I am in the top 1% of global income earners. Nearly half the world’s population—about 3.5 billion people—live on less than $6.85 per day. Compared to the trials faced by countless others throughout history and around the planet—slavery, persecution, disease, poverty, and oppression—I have no real problems to speak of.
While billions struggle just to survive, I live in abundance—blessed beyond measure by the hand of God. As Solomon wrote, “It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it” (Prov 10:22). I don’t carry guilt—I carry gratitude. These blessings aren’t random; they’re gifts from a gracious God who entrusts them for a purpose. As James reminds us, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above” (Jam 1:17). I’m not just a recipient—I’m a steward. As Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required” (Luke 12:48).
This perspective humbles me. God has blessed me far beyond what I deserve, and I’m accountable for how I handle it. I don’t own these blessings—I manage them. My time, talents, and treasures belong to the Lord, and I’m called to use them for His glory and the good of others (1 Cor 10:31; 1 Pet 4:10–11). I want to enjoy what God has given, but never with entitlement. Gratitude is the right attitude. I reject both the hoarding mindset that clings to wealth and the guilt-ridden view that despises prosperity.
So I ask the Lord to help me use these short days wisely (Psa 90:12), not squandering the opportunities He’s entrusted to me. Whether through generous giving, practical service, or small acts of kindness, I want to be a faithful steward—grateful, joyful, and useful. I have no interest in wasting my life chasing self-centered goals. I want to spend it well—for His glory, the good of others, and the eternal impact that only faithful stewardship can produce.
Dr. Steven R. Cook
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God’s greatest provision was for our eternal salvation, which came through His Son, Jesus, Who died in our place and bore the punishment that rightfully belongs to us (Rom 5:8; 1 Cor 15:3-4; 1 Pet 3:18). When we trust in Christ alone as our Savior, we receive forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7), eternal life (John 10:28), are transferred into “the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col 1:13), become “children of God” (John 1:12), and are blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3). God’s wonderful grace is amazing! And God, having done the most for us at the cross, will not do less for us after our salvation. Paul wrote, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:31-32). Since God has already demonstrated His maximum love and generosity by giving His Son for our salvation, it only stands to reason that He will certainly provide everything else needed for our well-being, and for a life that glorifies Him and edifies others.
By faith we trust God and rest in His promises. Failure to trust God will result in worry, fear, and an anxious heart that is never at rest. Do our hearts ever become anxious? Of course they do. And does fear ever rise up? Yes, of course it does. Well over a hundred times in the OT & NT believers are told “do no fear” and “do not be afraid” (e.g., Gen 15:1, Deut 1:21; Isa 41:10; Matt 10:28; 1 Pet 3:14). These directives would be superfluous if sinful fear was not a problem for the believer. Sometimes we become like Peter and look at the storm around us (Matt 14:30), become frightened, and sink into what we fear. But when fear rises up, faith must rise higher, always trusting God to keep His Word. When trials come (and they will), we must see them as opportunities to grow in our faith (Jam 1:2-4). The benefit of living by faith is a relaxed mental attitude as the believer focuses on the Lord and His promises. Remember, God always keeps His promises, for “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num 23:19). Yes, He will always keep His Word, for “the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind” (1 Sam 15:29), for “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb 6:18). God has integrity and keeps His Word, and “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20a).
God will provide. The challenge for us, as His children, is to accept His Word as true and apply it to our lives on a regular basis. The walk of faith requires us to have discipline of mind and will, to learn and live God’s Word, and to stay focused on Him and His promises. As God’s children, we are to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). The walk of faith is what He wants, for He says, “My righteous one shall live by faith” (Heb 10:38), and “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). The life of faith is what Pleases God, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb 11:6). Will there be failure on our part? Yes, more often than most of us would like to admit. But that’s why daily confession is important (1 John 1:9), as we acknowledge our sins to God, trust that He forgives, and then move back into a walk of faith. Let us continually learn and live God’s Word, always trusting the Lord will provide and that He will keep His promises to us. This way of living will glorify God, edify others, and result in a relaxed mental attitude for us as we lean on the Lord.