Are we the owners of our money and possessions, or is God? The correct answer is that God owns it all. As creator of the world and owner of all that it possesses, He is in complete control of everything. God owns the world. God owns me. God owns my money. God owns my possessions. He owns me because He created me. He owns me because He bought me again when He purchased me with His life. I need to acknowledge His ownership!

Exodus 9:29
“The earth is the Lord’s.”
Isaiah 66:1, 2
“Thus saith the Lord, ‘The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: For all those things hath mine hand made’” (KJV).

It is also true that if God owns it all, He has the right to control it all. If He has the right to control all, does He not also have the right to delegate some responsibility to us? The Bible calls us stewards. Our role today is that of manager. A steward or manager is someone that has been put in charge of possessions he or she does not own.

If everything truly comes from God (and it does), then He owns it all. If He owns it all, then we have been placed in charge of possessions that belong to someone else. We, as stewards or managers, are accountable to the owner (God) for the quality of managing. What kind of results are we producing? How good of a money / possession manager are you? Is there room for improvement?

God Owns It All

What then belongs to God? Of course, the real personal struggle usually accompanies the money He allows to flow through our hands and the material possessions we often try to accumulate. It all comes from God.

Our Possessions (Material and Money)

1 Timothy 6:17-19
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.“

Note here that God “richly provides” us with everything for our enjoyment, but it does come with some conditions; to do good, be rich in good deeds, be generous and be willing to share.

Our Abilities

God gives us talents and abilities so we can use them for His kingdom. We are accountable for His giftings.

Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.“

Our Time

Ephesians 5:15, 16
“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Stewardship

Having the knowledge that God owns it all is the first step to becoming an honorable steward. It is crucial that we take a moment to reflect and confess to ourselves and to God that He is in control and that you want to be a reputable steward of His possessions.

Although head knowledge and confession are good, it is more important that we live a lifestyle of fulfilling this principle. These words should be embedded in our hearts and its fruit exemplified in our daily decisions: what I do with my possessions reveals what is truly in my heart.

What do YOU think? Drop a comment and let us know.

Content © Rich Brott, 2011

 email to a friend