OK, so if God owns my stuff, now what?

Last time we talked about the fact that God owns everything...even down to the change in our pockets (Haggai 2:8). So what does this mean? Do I just sit back and let the money and stuff come and let it go? After all, why should I care if it's not mine, it is God's money and stuff?

I always hate to borrow my friend's tools. The main reason is because I am not the handiest person in the world, and there is a good chance that I will break the tool before I return it. My friend has given me temporary, accountable charge over the tool. I am a steward of my friend's tool while it is in my possession.

Just like with my friend's tool, we are stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We have temporary, accountable charge over our money and possessions while on this earth. Since we have been bought with the price of Jesus' death (1 Corinthians 6:20) our lives and all our money and stuff is utterly at the disposal of God who bought us.

What is the responsibility of a faithful steward? I think that Matthew 25:14-29 (parable of the stewards) gives us a good starting point for understanding our responsibilities. Basically it says we need to use what God has given us the way He wants us to use it.

But with a little deeper digging, we see that God has some definite ideas on what we should do with this money. God's Word gives us guidelines on saving (Proverbs 6:6-8), investing (Ecclesiastes 11:2), providing for our families (Proverbs 13:22 and 1 Timothy 5:8), incurring debt (Proverbs 22:7) and a host of other financial issues including quite a bit about giving (2 Corinthians 8:7-9).

Yes, God owns my money and my stuff, but I have a big responsibility to be a faithful steward (1 Corinthians 4:1,2) and to use it the way He has outlined in His Word. Someday we will be held accountable for what He has entrusted to us (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Not only does following God's economy bring peace into our financial lives (Proverbs 10:22), but more importantly, we will be handling our money according to His Word (Luke 6:46).