When I have a bad day, I often think of Denathor and feel better about myself. In case you don’t remember, Denathor was the Steward of Gondor, as read about in Tolkien’s The Return of the King. He was not the king; he was the steward. His job was to lead the people of Gondor for as long as the king was absent. The moment the king returned, he was to vacate his seat and give the keys to the city back. Only, there has not been a king in Gondor for a long time. He happened to be the 26th consecutive steward.
Yet, when the king returned, he was not about to relinquish his post. He’d sooner see the city destroyed than cede control, which is precisely what he tried to do, leading to his death and the needless destruction of much of the city and its inhabitants.
The truth is, we’ve all got some Denathor in us.
None of us are owners of anything. Yes, I have a mortgage in my name. I have a title for a 2007 Chevy Silverado, but it’s not mine. Three years ago, it was a gift. Every mile I drive is a grace. It was an upgrade to the 1995 Toyota 4Runner that was also a gift.
God has continually allowed me to use his good gifts. He has used the generosity of others to take care of me, and by His grace, I have made it to this moment.
Yet, I consistently forget who owns everything: God. I act as though everything I have is due to my hard work and success when in fact, it’s a grace of God.
This reminds me of Ghost Ship’s moving song: Where Were You. The song reminds us of who created all, who is boss of all, and who is God of all.
Your family, your job, your money, your position, your organization, your _______ is not your own.
You’re not an owner. At best, you’re a steward. At worst, you’re a user, a thief, and a seditionist; you’re Denathor. Or you’re simply a steward working in service to the real king.
For further reading on the subject, read the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
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