God Owns It All
Scripture Reading — Psalm 50:1-15
“If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.”
—Psalm 50:12
In a message on stewardship, a pastor recently encouraged us to go home, look around, and give thanks for what we have.
He wanted us to give thanks to God for letting us live in homes that belong to him and for allowing us to drive cars that really are his. He wanted us to thank God for our paychecks, our businesses, our jobs, our savings, and our investments. He wanted us to acknowledge God as the owner of all things.
That’s the teaching of Psalm 50, that God is the absolute owner of everything we have. “The world is mine, and all that is in it,” says the Lord. God owns “the cattle on a thousand hills.” He is the owner of absolutely everything we have. We are no more than managers. As one author put it, “God never turned the deed or title over to us.”
Take a few moments today to look at everything you have. Take out your checkbooks and your bank statements, and ask yourself: Am I living as someone who knows he is not the owner? Do I use my resources to build God’s kingdom and to help those in need?
Remember the words of Jesus: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
Ask him to help you be a faithful steward.
Lord, thank you for allowing us the use of so many things. Help us to be faithful as we manage the things you own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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