Tomorrow would’ve been my dad’s 104th birthday. October 13 is also the birthday of U.S. Navy (born 1775). Speaking of this, my dad’s dad lied about his age (he was 16 at the time) and enlisted in the Navy, going off to serve his country in “the war to end all wars” (WWI). So, Happy Birthday, United States Navy!
Getting back to my dad. He taught me a lesson that has served me well my entire life, for which I am eternally grateful.
The prophet Isaiah once declared, “By men of strange lips. . .the Lord will speak to his people” (Isaiah 28:11). Strange, isn’t it, that the Lord will at times use an unbeliever as His mouthpiece. Caiaphas is a good example of this (John 11:49-52). So was my dad.
I don’t think my dad was a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. Despite this, the Lord used him to teach me a biblical principle of stewardship. My dad would often say to me: “Leave a place in better shape than what you find it in.” I can’t think of a better definition of biblical stewardship.
Dad often said this in the context of the outdoors: hunting, fishing, camping, etc. For instance, when bird hunting and desiring to hunt a farmer’s land, Dad would insist upon gaining permission from the farmer first. Then Dad would say to me: “Leave the place in better shape than what you find it in. If you need to open a gate, close it behind you. If you find a pop bottle on the ground or anything else that obviously doesn’t belong there, pack it out with you. Always leave a place in better shape than what you find it in.”
Sound biblical advice and from an unbeliever!
All my life, in all that I’ve undertaken (sports, hunting, fishing, ordained ministry, mowing lawns, washing dishes, etc.) I’ve tried to leave that particular place in better shape than what I found it in.
As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we have citizenship in two kingdoms: Church and State. “Hear my son, your father’s instruction” (Proverbs 1:8). I want to hear and heed my father’s instruction to leave both kingdoms (Church and State) in better shape than what I found them in! How about you?
Happy Birthday, Dad! And thank you for teaching me biblical stewardship!!
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