Cream Rises to the Top
“Therefore with my utmost art I will sing thee; and the cream of all my heart, I will bring thee.” ―George Herbert
I grew up on a small 18 acre farm in southern Oregon halfway between Eagle Point and Shady Cove. Chores were simply a part of our day—every day. There were plenty of animals to feed morning and night and to clean up after.
Among the four-legged critters was a cow my dad needed to milk. He’d sit on his 3-legged stool, bucket beneath the cow’s udder, and work away until he’d gotten all the milk old Bessie had to give. The pail was then brought into the kitchen and sat on the counter. My mother placed a thin dishtowel over the mouth of a glass gallon jar. She then poured the milk in slowly so it didn’t splash out and make a mess. This filtered out any impurities. Once the raw milk sat for a while, something interesting happened. The cream separated from the milk by rising to the top of the jar. The next step was to skim off the 2-3 inch cream layer and use it for making whipped cream; or fresh churned butter. My family’s preference was to whip the cream, add some sugar and vanilla until it was just right to dollop on top of blackberry pies or pancakes. Oh so mouth-watering yummy!
Cream Rises to the Top
Stewardship, like cream, should also rise up in our lives to its rightful place. Good stewardship, simply said, is making the best use of our talents and our dollars. Those who strive for excellent money management allow some of their wealth, no matter how big or small, to be a messenger of goodness to others. There is a generosity of time and charity that leaves others with a good taste in their mouths.
As Christians, how we live our lives will either attract or repel people who don’t yet know Christ. John the Baptist came to show the way to Jesus. Why? So that many would be saved. If our lives are purposed to do even greater deeds than those John accomplished, that will require us to use our time, gifts, and dollars.
A good place to start a life of excellent stewardship begins by seeking God’s will. Ask Him for guidance. He created each of us and placed within us unique abilities to do great works. Since God owns all the silver and gold, we are the trustees of all God owns and places in our care. Is He the real CEO of our lives? Or, do we act like we are the captains of our own ships?
Will the cream of our lives rise up to bless others?
It’s an individual decision. If we are attentive to personal finances and have a soft heart for God’s work on earth, there’s no doubt Heaven will be more populated upon our arrival home.
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20-21
