In what ways should Matthew 5:35 shape our view of earthly possessions? The Earth Is His Footstool Matthew 5:35 — “or by the earth, for it is His footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.” • Jesus reminds us that the whole planet is God’s personal “footstool.” • If the earth itself is God-owned, then everything resting on it—houses, cars, bank accounts, careers—belongs to Him as well (Psalm 24:1). • Our first response to possessions, then, is humility: we hold nothing by right, only by divine allowance. Stewardship, Not Ownership • Scripture consistently pictures us as managers, never proprietors. – 1 Chronicles 29:14: “Everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You.” – 1 Corinthians 4:2: “Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” • Because God retains title, we ask: “Lord, how would You have me use what’s temporarily in my hands?” Hold Things Loosely • Swearing “by the earth” was forbidden because people cannot guarantee what they do not control. • Likewise, clinging too tightly to stuff invites disappointment; moth, rust, and thieves still operate (Matthew 6:19-21). • A light grip frees us to obey quickly when God redirects resources. Guard Against Idolatry • Anything that captures the heart can replace the Lord on the throne of our affections. – Luke 12:15: “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed; for life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” • Remembering that the earth is just God’s footstool shrinks material things back to proper size. Generosity and Kingdom Investment • If possessions are God’s, then redistributing them for His purposes is simply moving His assets where He wants them. – 1 Timothy 6:17-19 urges the wealthy “to be rich in good deeds, generous, and ready to share.” • Giving becomes an act of alignment with the Owner’s agenda rather than a loss. Sober Speech About Material Things • Jesus’ ban on oath-making underscores honest, simple speech. • We refrain from promising what tomorrow’s circumstances may void (James 4:13-15). • Practical tip: Replace “I swear I’ll pay you back” with “I intend to repay you, Lord willing.” Contentment Rooted in Divine Ownership • Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” • Contentment flows from trusting the Owner to supply needs (Philippians 4:19), not from amassing more stuff. Daily Takeaways • Begin each morning by verbally acknowledging: “Lord, everything under my roof is Yours.” • Budget and plan as a steward: prayerfully allocate, track, and adjust. • When tempted to hoard, picture God’s throne above the earth-footstool—He hasn’t run out of resources. • Practice periodic “footstool checks”: declutter, donate, or repurpose items that no longer serve His purposes. Seeing the earth as God’s footstool resets our attitude toward every earthly possession: held humbly, managed faithfully, shared generously, and enjoyed gratefully under the true Owner’s watchful eye. |
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