It doesn’t take very long to discover that there are not many things in this life that we can keep as our own. The old saying, “you can’t take it with you when you die” is an accurate statement. So why does God allow us to have certain things for a while if we can’t keep them? Well, the answer is quite simple if we know the reason God gave them to us in the first place. We are to be stewards, not owners. In Matthew 25, we read of the parable of the talents. One man receives five talents, another receives two talents and another receives one. The one with five, multiplies what he has by two. The one with two does the same. But the one with one talent hides his talent by burying it in the ground. When the Lord came to settle the accounts with these men, he congratulated those who had multiplied their talents, but was angry with the one who hid his talent. The lesson learned is that we are loaned certain things in this life. What we do with those things can be pleasing or displeasing to God. Abilities, talents, money, even our own families are great examples of stewardship if we know how to multiply the blessings God has given to us. You are given certain things for only a while... Be a good steward!