The place I wanted to start is with the understanding that God own everything. The very first sentence of the Bible says,
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen. 1:1).
Now that seems like a really simple place to start, but when you think about the magnitude of that sentence, you realize that God created everything, and in creating everything, he owns it as well.
God makes his ownership claim very directly in the Book of Haggai. In this book, which is set in 520 B.C. in Jerusalem, the Jews are struggling to rebuild the temple. Morale is low and funds are running out for completion. Most importantly however, the Jews are focused on their own issues and not on God's work. Therefore God challenges them by saying,
Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins...Look at what's happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!" (Haggai 1:4-6)
Then a little later, as if that challenge is not enough, God makes it abundantly clear to the Jews,
"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine." (Haggai 2:8)
God owns everything in the universe, including money and wealth, and we are merely temporary possessors of that wealth. Therefore, we need to turn to God and ask him how he would like his wealth spent.
Hey Dividend Disciple,
ReplyDeleteGreat post brother. Hit me up on email and we'll talk. Interested in hearing more about your goals and walk.
Take care,
DividendPartisan
dividendpartisan@gmail.com