We Adore You as Being in Control of Everything, Including Money!

Sun, Aug 23, 2009

God Owner Money If you’ve ever been around children or have a child of your own, you’ll notice in their early years the word “mine” becomes a common choice when they describe toys or things they want. I’m convinced the thinking or perspective that everything belongs to us is a natural tendency that makes itself know early in life.

As a child becomes older it becomes more clear who purchased, for example, the snack from the convenient store, but the response when the parent asks for a bite is still the same. “No, daddy, this is my snack!”

I was talking to someone over the weekend and they used a french fry analogy. This might be a parent’s typical response after hearing their child claim the french fry belongs to them: “I don’t think so. I purchased that snack, so it’s actually mine!”

God owns everything

Believe me, that conversation has taken place quite a few times in our household. But ultimately, we know from scripture the snack, or anything for that matter doesn’t belong to us. All of these things we possess, our food, clothing, shelter, and money, all belong to God.

Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the Ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength. (1 Chronicles 29: 11-12, TLB)

A new attitude about possessions and money

And while it’s challenging to keep this biblical perspective, (again, we’ve developed the opposite at a young age) having it helps us form a better attitude about possessions and money. I like what Crown Financial Ministries has to say about this subject in their small group study manual.

Recognizing the Lord’s ownership is important in learning contentment. If you believe that you own a particular possession, then the circumstances surrounding that possession will affect your attitude. If it’s a favorable situation, you will be happy. If it’s a difficult circumstance, you will be discontent.

Last night I found our cat that had been missing for what would have been three weeks today. We were absolutely amazed when we found her roaming around behind our house. Happy we found our cat and at the same time concerned with the fact she had been roaming around for three weeks, we thought it would be wise to have a veterinarian provide a check up.

Well, equally amazed was I when the bill was presented before us. Frustrated would more accurately describe my feeling. Here we are trying to track forward in our plans to pay off automobile loans soon and we’re presented a bill for several hundred dollars of unplanned expense.

So after calming myself down, and considering this week’s scripture from 1 Chronicles 29: 11-12, I realized it’s not my money and maybe my grip is too tight on it. It’s God’s money and this is a circumstance under his control.

You may feel this way when there is a fender bender and the car needs to be repaired, the vacuum cleaner no longer works and requires a replacement, or the clothes dryer just went out and it’s time to make a trip to the appliance store.

I wish I could always say I’m content when these challenges are presented before me, which certainly requires taking a Biblical perspective, but that’s not the case. So with our cat, who we’re happy to have home, and maybe your financial hiccup, we must remember God is in control. Which isn’t such a bad deal, is it? I’m closer to Him with this perspective in mind and grateful someone else is in control.

How can we keep in perspective this week God is the owner of all things, including money?