How can acknowledging God's ownership influence our daily financial decisions? Opening Scripture “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” What God’s Ownership Means • Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” • Haggai 2:8 adds, “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine.” Because God owns all, every dollar we handle is already His. Our role is not owner, but steward—managing His resources for His purposes. Shifting from Owner to Steward • Identity change: I’m God’s manager, not the boss of “my” money. • Heart change: Matthew 6:21—“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” • Accountability: Luke 16:10-11—faithfulness with “little” leads to trust with “much.” Influence on Daily Financial Choices 1. Budgeting – Begin with prayer: “Lord, how do You want this paycheck allocated?” – Prioritize giving and necessities before discretionary spending. 2. Giving – Proverbs 3:9—“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7—cheerful, voluntary, proportionate generosity. 3. Spending – Ask: Does this purchase reflect God’s values of modesty, usefulness, and love for neighbor? – Reject impulsive buying; cultivate contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-8). 4. Saving & Investing – Plan for future needs (Proverbs 6:6-8) while avoiding hoarding motivated by fear (Luke 12:15-21). – Choose investments that align with biblical ethics. 5. Debt – Scripture warns that the borrower becomes slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). – Borrow only when wise and repay promptly, safeguarding the freedom to serve God’s call. Why Generosity Becomes a Joy • Seeing ourselves as channels, not reservoirs, frees us from clutching. • 2 Corinthians 9:6—“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” • Giving reflects God’s own character (John 3:16) and draws our hearts closer to Him. Cautions and Promises Cautions • Guard against pride in abundance (1 Timothy 6:17). • Beware trusting in wealth’s uncertainty rather than God’s faithfulness. Promises • Malachi 3:10—God delights to “open the floodgates of heaven” for faithful givers. • Matthew 6:33—When we seek His kingdom first, “all these things” (daily needs) are added. Practical Steps for Today • List every income source and expense; label each “God’s.” • Set aside a first-fruits percentage for church and missions. • Review monthly spending; ask where love for God and neighbor could shine brighter. • Schedule regular giving, savings, and debt-reduction goals. • Celebrate testimonies of how God meets needs—build faith to keep stewarding well. Acknowledging God’s ownership shifts every financial decision from self-centered to Kingdom-centered, turning money into a daily opportunity to honor the One who entrusted it. |
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