“the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it…”
Psalms 24:1-2
Straight Talk
I read something recently that said, “money is morally neutral, just like a gun or medicine.”
A gun in the hand of a policeman is a tool of justice, but the same gun in the hands of a criminal, is a tool of evil.
Morphine on the battlefield can save a soldier’s life, but morphine in the arm of an addict, is a death sentence.
Same Concept Different Subject
Money is simply...
A commodity
A medium of exchange
A means to other ends
Money, by itself, is uncomplicated.
So, with all the complications associated with money we must conclude that if the issue isn’t with money, it must be with us.
We all need money to meet our needs and to invest in the Kingdom. The question is, how do we maintain balance in our pursuit and use of money?
The Truth
In MD5 we’ve learned many things about finances but for today, let’s consider just one attitude...
It’s all His stuff!
Psalms 24:1-2 tells us, “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it…”
In other words, we own nothing.
Actually, it’s a freeing truth if we’re willing to accept it.
If we have a financial decision to make, we ask the Lord what He wants us to do with His money. If we manage it the best we can yet suffer a “loss” then we trust that God is simply making changes to His portfolio.
So, if we believe these things, then what would it look like in our lives?
The Correct Response
We Would be Thankful
We know that God’s Will for us is to be thankful.
If we believe that it’s all His stuff, then when we get in “our” truck, or hop on “our” tractor, or look at “our” investment portfolio, we’d say, “Lord, thank you for trusting me with this stuff. I don’t deserve it and I promise to take care of it while I have it.
We Would be Faithful
Managing His money wisely is not just a good thing, it’s expected.
The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 makes this clear. While it is true that it’s all His stuff, when he entrusts it to us, there’s an expectation that we will be diligent with it...starting with the tithe.
We Would be Generous
When you think about it, it’s really a great deal.
Not only does God give me His money to care for my family’s needs, I also get to invest it, which generates profits for me now and in eternity.
The Bottom Line
There’s not anything in our possession that’s really in our possession. The only thing we truly own is our choice of whose we are and how we will steward God's resources.
So, how will you choose to use God's resources today?
Larry Martin MD5 Facilitator
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