If at this point, you are expressing mock outrage that I have the audacity to state that ‘It all belongs to God’, then you have not been paying attention for the last few months! In a Christian finance blog written by a Christian finance professional, there was only one way this was headed right! Originally, this was going to be the first commandment but I didn’t want to scare people away who might not share my faith. The fact you’re still here is good news and if you’re still sceptical, keep an open mind and hear me out.
To really understand things, we need to go right back to beginning, I mean really, ‘In the beginning…’ Genesis 1:1-2a (NIV) says:
‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty…’
Starting at the end of the passage and working our way back, we see that there was a point where the Earth was formless and empty. No people, no money, no Instagram. Another translation describes it as ‘void’. In verse 1, we are nonchalantly told that, ‘God created the heavens and the Earth.’ Ten words delivered so simply but of indescribable magnitude. Take a moment to think about it. There wasn’t and then there was. Powerful.
If we can agree that there was nothing at the start but then the world was made by a Creator, then it stands to reason that all things that came to existence from that point onwards belongs to Him. Deep, I know but how does this link to you right now? It establishes from the origin of the the Earth till this day, it all still belongs to God. From apple trees and rivers in the Garden of Eden to your smartphone and savings in the bank in 2021, till this day, it all still belongs to God.
The central theme of my blog, that it all belongs to God, can be found in the name Ten Talents Financial Stewardship. The Cambridge Dictionary describes stewardship as:
‘Someone’s stewardship of something is the way in which that person controls or organizes it‘
We have previously considered the titular story of this blog, which was the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14 – 30) that considered the right way and the wrong way to be a steward. I would like to consider another illustration of why we should be careful when we are using something that doesn’t belong to us. 2 Kings 6:4-5 (NIV) says:
‘4 And he went with them.
They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!”’
In the above passage, we see that a worker was careless in using a tool that he had been loaned and losing it has caused him great distress. Had he owned the axe, it would not be so bad. However, he clearly couldn’t afford his own axe to work, so now not only is he unable to work but he also has to use money he doesn’t have to pay the owner for their axe. The reason I am illustrating this is to shift your mindset from ownership to stewardship, and urge you to take adequate care of the life and possessions you have been entrusted with.
Once you realise that you don’t truly own anything, this should stop you from becoming too attached to things. It should also allow you to understand that you only really have things for a season, and then eventually you have to give it away or back to its original owner.
A great example of this was at my brother’s wedding. He really decided to do it big and so he rented an Audi R8 for the day. As you can imagine, he was flexing in this whip!! Revving the car, taking selfies and I wasn’t salty in the slightest. Not one bit. To be fair it would have been odd not to do what he did – I know I would! However, once the confetti had settled, he gave the car back to the rental company. This is also true of life and specifically our finances. We will all be given opportunities and resources at various stages in our life. The question is will we be wise in those moments and will be willing to give when we should?
Another way of considering the, ‘It all belongs to God,’ concept is to be reassured that He has unlimited resources available to us. In Matthew 6: 31 – 33 (ESV) it says:
‘31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’
Simply put, He knows all that we need, He has all that we need and He will give us all that we need if we focus on Him and not the ‘things’.
Deuteronomy 8:10-11 says:
‘10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.’
I believe it is vital to always remember that it all belongs to God and to acknowledge what we have been blessed with. Adopting this mindset will keep us humble in times of plenty, but also give us a hope when times get tough.
God bless
Ten Talents
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