I call the things I have mine. My car, my house, my yard, my paycheck, mine, mine, mine. But the truth is that someone else holds claim on what I call mine. A bank holds the mortgage on my house and yard, a different bank holds the title to my car, and government takes a cut off the top of my paycheck. Then there are other taxes and fees for electricity, phone, internet, water, fuel, staples (food and other necessities), clothes, and the everything else.

I pay for the government to protect my security and for different amenities. I pay companies to supply me with my daily needs. I pay for luxuries. So is what I have really mine?

The more I think about it, the more there is Someone who holds a greater prior claim than the companies or government – God. God owns all that they supply me and all that I have. He even owns the sun, moon, stars, earth, planets, rain, natural resources, and even the air that we breathe. You and I do not own any of these things and therefore anything that mankind makes from these things. I am glad God does not charge me for His services!

If I stop payment on a house or car I will eventually lose them according to the law. If I don’t pay my utilities the water and electricity will be cut off. If I refuse to pay my taxes, the government can exercise their right to garnish my wages and force me to pay. But God does not do that. He will not cut off the sun or rain. He sends them on the good and evil, the just and unjust (Matt 5:45). He gives me these blessings and allows me the choice to show my love and gratitude. He allows me to exercise good stewardship and give back to Him off the top of what He blesses me with.

But I ask you, what the prophet records in Mal 3:8, “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.”

We can never repay God for His physical and spiritual blessings, but we can return part of what is rightfully His by giving to His cause and fellowshipping in the grace of giving so that more will be able to enter His kingdom.

-Scott