“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31a)
When you earn money from hard work to buy an item from Walmart or someone gives you a birthday gift, do you now own that item or do you possess it? What is the difference between what you possess and what you own? You may think they are one and the same. It may seem like an insignificant point, but the small difference has very significant implications for us in our relationships with God.
Genesis 1, the very first chapter of the first book in the Bible, describes Creation as initiated and completed by God. God said “Let there be light” (vs.3), “Let the land produce vegetation” (vs.11), “Let the water teem with living creatures” (vs.20), “Let the land produce living creatures” (vs.24) and “Let us make man in our image” (vs.26). God did not share his task with another. It was his idea and he accomplished it by himself.
Because God was the author of Creation, he owns it. He, as the Creator, has the deed forever and for all time to this big rock we call Earth hanging in the sky. It can never be transferred to another. Everything that we can see comes from God. Even the toy on the shelf from Toys R Us was made from material that God originally formed and made. We can talk about what Man has done with God’s Creation another time, but for now, it is important to fully recognize God’s ownership of everything seen.
Why is it important for us to acknowledge God’s ownership of all things? When we live as an owner of anything, we begin to set ourselves up as a little god of that thing which we believe we own. We believe it is completely up to us to do whatever we like with it.
However, when we rightly identify the true owner, we take ourselves out of that position and reject the little god label. We can then begin to see that object in its correct light and are willing to steward it properly: use it for God’s glory to build his kingdom through either a proper use for our family, give it away or even sell it, at a fair price, to someone who may need it. We open our hand so that God can then take it and do with it what he, as the Owner, desires.
The Owner of everything knows what you and I need. Therefore, we can trust him that he will not take away something and leave us without what we truly need to live.
Have you been living like an owner of all you possess? Is it not time to give up being a little god and acknowledge the one true living God?
Consider praying this daily prayer: “God, I acknowledge you as the Owner of all things, including me. I repent of acting like a god and thinking that I own anything. Enable me to faithfully use the possessions you have entrusted to me for your glory and honor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
