Ultimate Ownership

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.”  Psalm 24:1

It’s all His.  Every acre, every account, and every asset.  Everyone you can hold and everything you can have all belongs to God.  His ultimate ownership has existed since creation, and no desire or design of man can alter the arrangement.  It’s all His.  Princes and paupers both need the reminder.

When we’re concerned about cash to cover the bills or a roof to cover our heads, knowing it’s all His brings comfort and confidence.  The previous psalm (Psalm 23) aptly declared that if God is our guide, our needs will be supplied.  “Do not worry,” Jesus said, “about what you will eat or drink or about what you will wear. Your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things”(Matt 7:25,32). He distributes His wealth as He wishes and will always care for His own. Through various manners and methods, resources will be provided for the essentials of life.  (It’s good to remember that the extras are optional, so if we are required to let go of a possession—or if we never acquire one we really want—it obviously isn’t a necessity.)  The One who owns the riches of the universe will see to it that we have what we need.  It’s all His.

Th0se same three words which bring peace in our austerity also bring purpose in our abundance, for if we’re honest, rarely is the cupboard bare, the closet empty, and the garage able to be described as sparse.  Most likely we have a surplus of stuff which overflows from dressers, attics, and sheds.  A culture of acquisition influences our homes and our habits, and we often find ourselves figuring out how to get more.  

Loads of money and lots of things aren’t always bad as long as we understand they’re part of a time-share.  During our time on earth, God shares some of His stuff with us.  Before we arrived, someone else managed it.  After we’re gone, He’ll pass it on to others.  But for the few years in between, He entrusts us with treasure to enjoy and employ.  You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead, so “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven”(Matt. 6:20).  Use your possessions and your pocketbook well.  Always put people before things, spend and share your resources to deepen relationships with others, and support God’s work locally and globally.

If having more in your name brings glory to His, sign away, but remember Who holds the deed.  It’s all His.

Hold on loosely.

Use it wisely.

Invest eternally.

We couldn’t have a better landlord.