How are you Stewarding your Gift?
Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. 1Samuel 1:10-11, ESV
Hanna was barren and could not have children. Her husband’s other wife, Peninnah had children and she would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. I often wonder what God thinks of us when we take our gifts that he has blessed us with and we put down others who do not have the same blessings. Peninnah was putting down Hanna. She was making fun of her and thought she was better because God had opened up her womb. Peninnah’s blessings with children had nothing to do with her abilities, but with God’s graciousness.
We need to be very careful to keep our hearts humble and thankful for all that God has done for us. Hanna demonstrated a heart of humility. She prayed to God in her grief and she asked, “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” Hanna’s heart was to God.
We read further in the scripture that God remembered Hanna’s prayer and he gave her a son whose name was Samuel. Hanna gave praise to God for her son and she did exactly what she vowed to God. She took her son Samuel to Eli the priest where he served God all the rest of his life.
This message is a reminder about how we choose to behave with the gifts God has blessed us with. Peninnah had received the gift of many sons, but she chose to flaunt that gift and to glorify herself. Hanna, on the other hand, understood the gracious kindness of God and she chose to honor him. God is looking at our hearts and we will be judged by how we steward the gifts he has given us.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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