Verse

Luke 12:15 - 21 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Monday, 19 May 2025

From Slaves to Owners

From Slaves to Owners
Seeing the Giants Through God’s Eyes

Main Text: Numbers 13:1–33 (KJV)


Introduction:

When God called Israel out of Egypt, He intended to bring them into a promised land flowing with milk and honey. But though they left Egypt physically, Egypt remained in their hearts. Israel still thought like slaves — full of fear, self-doubt, and defeatism.

Numbers 13 records a pivotal moment when Israel stood at the threshold of promise, yet allowed a slave mindset to rob them of their destiny. Ten out of twelve spies saw giants, while only two — Caleb and Joshua — saw God’s faithfulness.

This message is about how God transforms His people from slaves, to warriors, and finally to owners of His promises. And how those intimidating “giants” in your life are often just gardeners and gatherers, preserving your inheritance until you’re ready to claim it.


I. Israel as Slaves in Mindset

Numbers 13:31 (KJV)
But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

Though physically free, Israel was still enslaved in their minds. A slave mentality focuses on personal limitations, magnifies enemies, and doubts God’s promise.

Numbers 13:33 (KJV)
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Notice: in our own sight as grasshoppers. Their view of themselves determined their expectation of what others saw. A defeated mind cannot perceive victory.

Romans 8:15 (KJV)
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Even believers today can fall into this mentality — focusing on what they lack instead of what God has promised.

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Application:
You cannot possess the promise if you still see yourself as a grasshopper. Deliverance from Egypt was only the first step. The greater battle was in the mind.


II. Israel Being Converted into Warriors in the Wilderness

Numbers 13:30 (KJV)
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

Caleb spoke not from bravado, but from faith. While others focused on the size of the giants, Caleb remembered the size of his God. The wilderness was God's training ground to strip away the slave mentality and forge a warrior people.

Deuteronomy 8:2 (KJV)
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart…

The wilderness seasons in our lives are designed to expose our heart and test our faith — not to destroy us but to prepare us for dominion.

1 John 5:4 (KJV)
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Application:
It’s in your wilderness where your slave mentality dies and your warrior identity is born. Caleb’s spirit was different because he chose to believe what God said over what his eyes saw.


III. Israel as Owners — The Giants as Gardeners and Gatherers of Wealth

Here’s the divine irony — the very giants Israel feared were, in fact, preserving their inheritance.

Deuteronomy 6:10-11 (KJV)
And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land… to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not…

The so-called enemies were just caretakers of the promise until Israel matured enough to claim it.

Proverbs 13:22 (KJV)
…the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Isaiah 61:5-6 (KJV)
And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles…

Spiritual Reality:
The giants in your life are not blocking your destiny — they’re maintaining it. The wealth, resources, and opportunities God has for you may currently be in enemy hands, but it’s being preserved for the time appointed.

Application:
Stop fearing the giants. They’re just gardeners tending the fields you’re about to inherit.


Conclusion:

Numbers 14:24 (KJV)
But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land…

Summary:

  • Israel as slaves saw themselves as grasshoppers.
  • Israel as warriors like Caleb believed they were able through God.
  • Israel as owners would one day inherit a land already cultivated and prepared by the very giants they once feared.

Romans 8:37 (KJV)
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.


Call to Action:

  1. Repent of fear and small thinking.
  2. Embrace your wilderness as preparation, not punishment.
  3. Claim your inheritance with boldness, knowing the enemy is maintaining your harvest until you arrive.

Stop seeing yourself as a grasshopper. You are more than a conqueror in Christ. The giants are gardeners. The wealth of the world is being gathered for the just. And your time to possess the promise is near.


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