Memory verse: Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything.  1 Chronicles 29:11

Ownership:

Now that we’ve had two days to get very familiar with the memory verse, what stands out to you? What is the key in this verse? For me, it’s the very first word. “everything”. It says everything in the heavens and earth is God’s.

“The Earth is the Lord’s and all it contains.” Psalm 24:1

“all it contains”, “everything”  these words are pretty all inclusive. To be genuine followers of God, we must give ownership of all our possessions to the Lord.

Luke 14:33 “so you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”

You mean I have to give everything away? No, not at all. What this means is we need to settle in our heart that every last little item we have is God’s, including our paycheques, including our bank accounts, including that nice shiny new car in the driveway, including that new house and swimming pool. It is His, and we are in charge of taking care of it. And sometimes that might mean we need to get rid of something.  Let’s look at a few more verses:

“….for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for me.” Leviticus 25:23

“for all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.” Psalms 50:10-12

“the silver is mine, and the gold is mine” Haggai 2:8

Here are some great examples. The first verse tells us that although we buy property between each other, it’s still His. In fact, the Isrealites were not allowed to purchase land from others, but rather they were purchasing the amount of crops they could harvest before the next year of Jubilee. We are entrusted to use it wisely and for His purposes. The second verse telling the people that the animals were His also, which represents the main source of income and employment for that time. So, in today’s terms, our sources of income is His, our businesses, our jobs. And third, the silver and gold represents money today.  Are we starting to see the picture here? God is the owner, we are the caretakers of His stuff. That puts a different light on things doesn’t it? Have you ever borrowed your neighbors lawnmower? You will treat that thing with extra care and use it exactly as intended. Why, because it’s not yours. You want to return it in good shape. That is how we need to view all the things we consider our possessions. It’s God’s, let’s make sure we use it correctly. This is why it’s so important to study biblical stewardship.

Definition of stewardship: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care

 

Lord how often have I not recognized your ownership of everything You have entrusted me with. Teach me to be a faithful steward of things you have blessed me with.  You have blessed me with a nice warm house, food in my cupboards, a great job and a wonderful family. Thank you Lord for the things you have entrusted to me, thank you for your provisions. You are an awesome God, thank you amen.