God owns everything, and we own nothing.

This is the first principle of stewardship.

God’s Word is very clear on this. Here are a few powerful verses that speak to this reality:

'All the earth is Mine.' — Exodus 19:5

'Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.' — Deuteronomy 10:14

'Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.' — Job 41:11

'Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?' — 1 Corinthians 6:19

'You were bought with a price.' — 1 Corinthians 7:23

'The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.' — Psalm 24:1

We came into this world with nothing, and we will leave it with nothing. Paul tells us this in 1 Timothy 6:7, “We have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” Everything we have is on loan to us from God. We are simply God’s stewards.

As stewards of God’s creation, we must recognize that everything belongs to God, including our bodies, which Christ purchased with His blood.

Regarding material possessions, God allows us to manage and use these assets rightly. Additionally, God gives us life, free will, time, skills, abilities, talents, spiritual gifts, and opportunities to do the good works He prepared for us before the foundation of the world.

In a nutshell, all we have has been given to us as a result of the grace of God and should be employed for good and for the glory of God.

Paul affirms this in Ephesians 2:8–10, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.'

When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He made humanity stewards over all His creation on earth. Genesis 1:28 says, “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”

As stewards, we are accountable to God for the way we manage His creation and obey His commands. As God’s image-bearers and stewards over His creation, He calls us to represent Him with the same love, grace, mercy, generosity, and goodness that He shows us.

Titus 1:7–8 states, 'For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.'

As stewards, we will give an account at the Bema Seat of Christ for what we did with the resources, gifts, skills, abilities, and opportunities He entrusted to us.

God desires for us to steward what is in accordance with His will and in alignment with His character. And, He intends to reward faithful servants who steward His resources well. This is evident in the Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:12–19):

A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas and said, 'Engage in business until I come.' … When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered those servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' The second came, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made five minas.' And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.'

Experience shows us God blesses some people with more resources and gifts than others, but He expects more from those who have been given more. Luke 12:48 says, “… Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”

The Bible even warns that those blessed with the ability to teach will be held to a higher standard. James 3:1 states, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

For those who feel they have very little, take heart in the Parable of the Poor Widow:

And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And He called His disciples to Him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had—all she had to live on.’ Mark 12:42–44

This woman shows us that generosity is the goal, humility is the key, and faith that “little is much when God is in it” is important.

Furthermore, God warns us not to assume that our power and abilities create wealth. Deuteronomy 8:17–18 cautions, “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…”

When we fail to recognize that everything on earth belongs to God, that what we do have is the result of His grace, and that He has made us stewards of His possessions, we fall into a trap that breeds evil, greed, covetousness, and the love of money.

1 Timothy 6:10 reminds us, 'For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.' Luke 16:13 adds, 'No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.'

In conclusion, as people entrusted with Divine resources, we must constantly remind ourselves and teach others these realities:

God owns everything; we are simply His stewards.

Everything we have (our time, talents, and resources) is entrusted to us for His glory and for the edification of the Kingdom.

Money can become either a tool or a tyrant in our lives.

When we do see all that God has given us—our money, abilities, and opportunities— as tools to advance His Kingdom and glorify His name, we will also discover this truth:

If we are faithful with a little, God will give us greater opportunities.

John Feder

John is a husband, father, grandfather and a retired Exxon Mobile petroleum engineer. He is also an active member of Grace Woodlands church and currently sits on the Montgomery County Eagle Forum Board of Directors, serving faithfully as the prayer coordinator.