The Money Grid: Ownership vs Stewardship

Society would say that everything we possess - the money in our bank accounts and the possessions we own are ours. We have worked hard. We have put time, effort, and skill into generating this wealth. Therefore it is mine. I am the one who decides what to do with it and I am the one who should enjoy all the benefits of it. I am the owner.

But scripture says something very different. Scripture would say that we are not the owners of our money and possessions, but stewards. A steward is someone who looks after resources on behalf of the owner. A good steward is someone who does that well.

John Wesley once said, “When the Possessor of heaven and earth brought you into being, and placed you in this world, he placed you here not as a proprietor, but a steward.”

This concept changes everything! Scripture says that we didn’t create ourselves, but God did. We didn’t choose when we would be born, what family we would be born into, and into what nation we would enter the world. We didn’t choose our brains, our talents, and our opportunities. Sure, we have a role to play - we have to work hard and use what we have been given to the best of our abilities. But there aren't any self-made people in the world, there are only God-made people.

So, if we have truly been given our wealth and our possessions by God to look after during our time on earth, then the way we do that best is by asking Him.

The second part of our GRID is that realization.

It is holding our resources before the Lord and saying, “Jesus what would you like me to do with the money in my bank account? With my salary, with my business, with my possessions? They are yours anyway. It is such a privilege to manage them on your behalf, so how can I do that best?”

This is revolutionary in how we handle God’s possessions on loan to us.

Scripture:

Psalms 24:1-3 - The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?

1 Chronicles 29:12 - 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Reflection:

Our society often teaches us to view money and possessions as personal achievements, something we own because of our hard work and effort. This sense of ownership can make it challenging to see our resources in any other light. However, the Bible offers a transformative perspective: everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of these resources.

Reflect on the notion of stewardship versus ownership. Do you see your wealth and possessions as something you possess or as something you manage on behalf of God? How does this shift in perspective affect your approach to handling your resources?

Ask yourself the following questions:

• How do you currently manage your finances and possessions? Are your decisions driven by personal desires, or do you consider what God might want you to do with them?
• What areas of your life reflect a sense of ownership rather than stewardship? Are there specific aspects of your financial life where you struggle to relinquish control?
• In what ways can you actively practice stewardship in your daily life? How can you ensure that your use of resources aligns with God's purposes and priorities?
• How does recognizing God as the owner of all things change your view on spending, saving, and giving? Does it impact how you prioritize different financial decisions?

Understanding that we are stewards and not owners, invites us to approach our resources with humility and responsibility. It challenges us to seek God's guidance in all financial matters and to manage what He has entrusted to us in a way that honors Him and reflects His will.

Application:

1. Assess Your Mindset: Reflect on how you currently view your money and possessions. Do you see yourself as the owner or as a steward?
2. Surrender to God: Take time to pray and intentionally surrender your financial resources to God. Ask Him to guide your decisions and show you how to use what you have in a way that pleases Him.
3. Act in Faith: Consider one area where you can start practicing stewardship today. This could be in your spending, giving, or how you manage your time and talents. Let this be a step toward living out your role as a steward of God’s resources.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the many blessings You have entrusted to me. I acknowledge that everything I have is Yours, and I am merely a steward of these resources. Help me to hold my possessions and finances with open hands, seeking Your guidance in all my decisions. Teach me to manage what You have given me in a way that honors You and advances Your Kingdom. I surrender my desires and plans to You, asking for wisdom and discernment in every financial choice I make. Help me to be a good steward of all that you have entrusted to my care.

In Jesus' name, Amen.