What belongs to God and what belongs to me?

An old adage states: “What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is mine.”

That may be jokingly quoted in marriage, but it gets at something every relationship must address.

Individuals say, “This is my house, my car, my bank account, my things, and my family.” In marriage, it becomes “our house, our car, our bank account, our things, and our family.”

What about God?

In our relationship with Him, does it matter if we say something belongs to us? Does anything belong to Him?

What Belongs to Whom?

Everything belongs to God because God made everything (John 1:1-3).

Our names may be on a title or deed, but our ownership is only a temporary arrangement. In the grand scheme of things, we’re only responsible for our belongings while we’re living on earth.

One day, when our time is done, our property, possessions, and money won’t go with us (Ecclesiastes 5:15). That's why they say you’ll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. But because everything belongs to God, we can trust Him to provide for our needs now and beyond (Philippians 4:19).

Rich Through Connection

Not only does everything belong to God, but we do, too (Psalm 24:1-2).

We can be confident that the best is yet to come because we belong to Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:22). We’re always provided for when we listen to Jesus and do what He says (Psalm 24:3-6).

We thrive not because of what we accomplish, but because of who we’re connected to. What belongs to us belongs first to Jesus. And what belongs to Jesus belongs to us (1 Corinthians 3:22-23).

Because God is generous, He’s got more for us than simply managing what belongs to Him. God is excited about blessing us as we faithfully care for His things (Luke 16:10-13). He wants great things for us, not just for Himself.

Knowing who is the source of all things shows us how to use all things.

How to Use What’s God’s

If our money, possessions, time and everything belongs to God, how does that affect us? Do we get rid of all we own, move to a remote countryside, and live a simple life?

Everything exists because of Jesus and for Jesus (Hebrews 2:10). To determine how to use something lies in what Jesus created it for. Knowing who is the source of all things shows us how to use all things.

If my car belongs to God, I can use it to give a friend a ride when his car is in the shop. If my house belongs to God, I can use it to host a Group so people can connect and grow in their relationships with Jesus. If God owns my wallet, I can use my money to provide for people in need and build His church (2 Corinthians 9:10-13).

Everything belongs to God and we get to share in what belongs to Him. We get the joy of both receiving and giving the abundance He possesses.

Want help using money and possessions God’s way? Visit www.newspring.cc/finances for coaching, budgeting, studies and more.